HOME HEALTH LVN

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

Using independent and interdependent judgment, the Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse (LVN/LPN) maintains the delivery of quality care by assuring the nursing care plan is followed. In collaboration with the physician, and the supervising RN, the LVN/LPN assures implementation of the assessment plan, evaluation, and follows up of the plan of care for the patient population.

This position requires a valid temporary or permanent CA State Practical/ Vocational Nurse License. The individual must have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, be dedicated to the provision of quality patient care, and use sound judgement in decision-making. BLS certification required upon hire, a valid ACLS certification and IV & Blood withdrawal certification required within 120 days. Ability to maintain assigned work hours: Requires endurance to perform tasks over long periods of work hours.

The duties and responsibilities are listed below. It is the expectation of the institution that the employee be able to demonstrate competency in each area. It is the duty of the institution to provide orientation and performance evaluation in each area stated.

Responsibilities to the patient:

A. Participates in an on-going systematic assessment of the physical, emotional, social, educational, and functional needs of the patient/family through interview, observation, and physical examination.

B. Collects assessment data and information to develop a nursing care plan which contains problem identification, nursing diagnosis, nursing orders, approaches, interventions, short/long term goals, and discharge planning.

C. Assures that medical orders are transcribed and processed accurately, and integrates the medical care plan into the provision of nursing care.

D. Assures that medication administration is correct and according to the established nursing policies and procedures.

E. Provides for personal and environmental safety in accordance with hospital and nursing policies and procedures.

F. Demonstrates skills in handling emergency and life-threatening situations.

G. Assures that documents in the medical record are complete, factual, accurate and timely.

H. Provides total nursing care including activities & daily living (ADL) to meet patient needs:

Responsibilities to unit staff:

A. Provides direction and leadership in patient care to assigned personnel.

B. Prioritizes activities and plans for effective use of time for patient needs.

C. Communicates the plan of nursing care for each patient through reports, conferences, rounds, and patient care records.

D. Demonstrates responsibility for the teaching of nursing assistants in areas of new techniques, policies and procedures.

E. Participates in the quality improvement activities of nursing.

F. Communicates identified learning needs of self and others to the DON.

G. Assists the DON in the orientation of new staff.

H. Adheres to established policies and procedures of the hospital and Nursing Department.

I. Actively participates on nursing committees.

J. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Responsibilities to self:

A. Evaluates own performance and seeks opportunities for growth and expansion of skills

B. Takes initiative in upgrading and maintaining skills necessary to provide quality care to patients and leadership to assigned staff.

C. Acquires continuing education sufficient to maintain licensure and certification.

D. Membership in appropriate professional organizations.

E. Assumes responsibility for maintaining/enhancing physical health and alleviating stress.

F. Demonstrates competency in a variety of nursing skills as demonstrated and evaluated on at least an annual basis.

G. Displays a "customer service" attitude toward patients, visitors, and other staff members at all times.

H. Abides by all safety, infection control, and other guidelines as required.

I. Promotes an ethic of continuous quality improvement in all matters associated with the position, and documents specific quality improvement implementation.

J. Performs all other tasks and duties as may be assigned.

K. Provides a level of competency to treat patients 18 and older.

Dresses and presents self in a professional manner at all times. Adherence to the corporate appearance policy is required.

Wears hospital issued nametag at all times while on duty.

Conducts self ethically at all times.

Upholds all service standards:

A. Safety- We do no harm and create an error-free environment.

B. Communication- We engage our customers in exchanging clear, timely and accurate information

C. Courtesy- We treat everyone with respect, social sensitivity and professionalism.

D. Presentation- We provide a positive customer experience through the appearance of our environment and employees.

E. Efficiency- We use resources appropriately to benefit the customer and the organization.

Demands and characteristics of work, equipment usage, and work environment:

Working environment:

Working in hot, cold, wet surroundings 1-33%

Working outdoors 1-33%

Working with or near chemicals 34-66%

Working near radiation sources 1-33%

Potential exposure to communicable diseases 1-33%

Working with hazardous waste materials 34-66%

Utilizing essential upgraded or adaptive equipment as industry standards require 34-66%

Using hand tools 1-33%

Potential for cuts and bruises 1-33%

Exchange of ideas:

Ability to express or exchange ideas 67-100%

Ability to understand communication of others with or without adaptive devices 67-100%

Ability to perform advanced level mathematics 67-100%

Ability to read at a secondary level 67-100%

Workplace behaviors:

I. Results orientation – Meets current objectives and positions the organization for future growth. Completes daily tasks and assignments and processes large volumes of work associated with the operation of the department.

II. Social sensitivity - Builds positive relationships based on respect for others. Demonstrates a helpful, positive attitude. Maintains effective communication with peers, medical staff, patients, visitors, and families.

III. Quality outcomes – Meets and exceeds expectations of internal and external customers. All organizational and departmental standards regarding quality of performance are met. Demonstrates a strong commitment to confidentiality. Participates in quality improvement programs as directed.

IV. Safe working environment – Demonstrates an awareness of and adherence to safety and legal requirements established at the facility with an emphasis on maintaining a safe environment for all persons working in the facility.

A. Accident/Injury Reporting – Reports any accidents, injuries, and unsafe equipment and conditions to supervisor by the end of the shift and reports any pre-existing conditions as identified by the ADA.

B. Unsafe Conditions – Immediately reports and corrects, if possible, unsafe conditions or equipment.

C. Workplace standards – Compiles with relevant regulations, standards and policies governing safe workplace environment (OSHA, Accreditation, etc.)

D. Safety techniques – Maintains current knowledge of all aspects of the facility's safety program by attending safety-related training as mandated upon hire and thereafter as required by facility.

E. Modified work – Accepts modified work assignments after receiving the physician's release to return to work following an accident/ injury.

F. Follows prescribed/recommended treatment – Follows the prescribed/recommended treatment given by treating physician(s) after an accident/injury.

V. Education – Participates in required inservice and educational programs on an ongoing basis.

VI. Attendance and punctuality – Follows all facility guidelines outlining standards of attendance and punctuality. Responsible for reporting to and completing work at assigned times.

Universal precautions will be observed in order to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluid types is difficult or impossible, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials. All blood or other potentially infectious materials will be considered infectious regardless of the status. The category shown below is designed to communicate the risk of exposure for this particular position.

Category I Tasks involve light contact with moist body substances, non-intact skin or mucous membranes. Department procedures define and require use of minimum protective measures to perform the task.

Category II Tasks involve no contact with moist body substances, non-intact skin or mucous membranes; however, employment may