Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse

The duties and responsibilities of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) as a recognized essential member of the health care team include but are not limited to the following:

• Manages patient/resident care issues in accordance with VA practice and LPN licensure.
• Maintains knowledge and skills to care for a wide range of patients/residents, including those with acute and chronic illnesses.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients/residents with various physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Recognizes and effectively intervenes in potential or emergent situations, instituting emergency measures when indicated (Rapid Response, Code Blue/Green).
• Demonstrates ability to independently adjust or modify care to meet changing patient/resident needs, notifying RN or provider for concurrence.
• Promptly recognizes and facilitates treatment for urgent needs such as hypoglycemia, acute shortness of breath, chest pain, seizures, stroke symptoms, and mental health issues.
• Provides high-quality nursing care using traditional and non-traditional modalities, considering age, physical, emotional, social, cultural, and population-specific needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of standard precautions, medical asepsis, and sterile technique, applying these principles in the CLC.
• Prepares, administers, and documents actions taken with medications, including patient/resident responses.
• Reports any change in patient/resident condition to RN or MD/LIP.
• Recognizes and responds to staff/patient/resident safety needs and environmental cleanliness, following all safety procedures and infection prevention/control principles.
• Serves and protects the medical center by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, EEO, federal, state, and local requirements, and Joint Commission and OSHA standards.
• Promotes an environment of respect for individual patient/resident and caregiver support persons' rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery.
• Provides education to patients/residents/families and acts as a partner in care planning, including goals of care.
• Serves as a responsible member of the nursing team, interacting appropriately with patients/residents, family members, professionals, and support personnel, incorporating customer service standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned