Licensed Practical Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

Provide direct and indirect patient care services that meet the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care; meets the communication needs of patient and family; provide care that reflects initiative and responsibility indicative of professional expectations, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Maintain regulatory agency requirements, nursing and hospital policies, procedures and standards. Communicate with physicians and team members about changes in patient’s clinical condition, including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology. Must be able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment and able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision.

Essential Functions

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization
• Demonstrate knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and patient’s clinical condition.
• Perform patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age.
• Demonstrate ability, under direct supervision of an RN, to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy including pediatric, geriatric and the general patient population.
• Demonstrate ability to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.
• Formulate a teaching plan based on identified patient learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Assess and reassesses pain management techniques utilized. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Demonstrate ability to perform treatments and provide services to level of licensure.
• Communicate appropriately and clearly to team leader, co-workers and physicians.
• Consult other departments, as appropriate, to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
• Provide care appropriate to condition and age of the patient, including pediatric, geriatric and general population.
• Demonstrate an ability to assist physicians with procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills under the direction of an RN.
• Demonstrate an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Treat patients and their families with respect and dignity
• Ensure patient confidentiality.
• Identify and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patient and family.
• Interact professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Maintain a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Meet current documentation standards and policies.
• Identify and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with Social Services/Discharge Planner regarding both in-hospital and post discharge needs.
• Manage and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Coordinate and supervise patient care under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Medical and surgical asepsis is carried out during treatments and special procedures.
• Response to the patient is appropriate in emergency or physically distressful situation.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned

Professional Requirements

• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wear identification while on duty.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicate the mission, ethics and goals of the organization.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services.

Qualifications

• Current LPN licensure in the state of New Mexico
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or must be obtained within thirty (30) days of hire
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of nursing services
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

• Working irregular hours including call hours
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment
• Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions
• Pushing and pulling heavy objects
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients

• Position requires light to moderate work with 50 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry.
• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.