Licensed Practical Nurse - 36 Hours, Days - Step Down Unit

Licensed Practical Nurse

Hospital for Special Care

We are dedicated to creating an environment of care and engagement that makes us one of the most desirable places to work, providing exceptional care to each patient each and every day!

Qualifications

• Required: Graduate of an accredited licensed practical nurse program
• Required: Current licensure as a licensed practical nurse in the State of Connecticut
• Preferred: Valid/Current CPR certification -required within three months of employment
• Preferred: Minimum one year LPN experience in a medical/surgical or long-term care setting.

Job Summary

• Under the direction of a registered nurse, the licensed practical nurse and graduate practical nurse functions within the team as a professional caregiver providing quality care to patients and their families. This involves collecting data, collaborating with the RN in the planning of patient care, implementing the plan, and assisting in the evaluation of outcomes.

Physical Demands

• This job requires continuous periods of walking, standing, bending, reaching, with periodic sitting. Occasional climbing, squatting, and kneeling as related to patient care. Job requires the ability to lift or carry objects up to 10 pounds continuously, 20 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds frequently for assisting with patient transfers and bed mobility. Ability to push/pull up to 25 lbs. frequently for medication carts/equipment and 50 pounds occasionally for patient care and mobility activities. In addition, this job requires frequent use of gross, fine motor and sensory skills in order to pass medications, perform assessments and treatments, and handle equipment used in patient care.

Cognitive Demands

• Job requires independent problem identification. Abstract reasoning and adaptability to changing environments and information. Quick decision-making is required. A high degree of selective attention, discernment, perception and concentration is necessary.
• Job requires a high degree of written proficiency including attention to detail, adherence to all elements of style and ability to postulate. A working knowledge and familiarity with professional/medical terms and definitions is required.
• Job requires a high degree of communication skills including expression of abstract/complex ideas, use of negotiation and active listening, and an ability to dialogue with multiple parties.
• Job requires reading and auditory comprehension of abstractions and an ability to make inferences. A working knowledge and familiarity with professional/medical documentation is necessary.
• Job requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with all units of measure, and the ability perform these operations with common and decimal fractions. To compute ratio, rate, and percent, and perform arithmetic operation involving units of weights, measures and volume.

Work Demands

• Job requires working indoors in an often noisy and distracting environment. There is an occasional need to be outdoors. Job requires working continuously with others. Schedule fluctuation is frequent and at times unpredictable to anticipate. Response to emergencies is required. . Job involves possible exposure and handling of the following; bloodborne and/or airborne pathogens, body fluids, infections and contagious diseases, latex, antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs.
• Employees in this role may be required to float to other patient care units or departments based on operational and patient care needs, provided they possess the required competencies and qualifications for the assignment.

Essential Functions

• Assists the registered nurse, as delegated, in collecting data within scope of practice.
• Collaborates with RN in formation of a goal directed plan of care which is prioritized and based on anticipated patient outcomes.
• Collaborates with RN information of discharge plan which is consistent with the patient's progression through the continuum of care.
• Demonstrates ability to organize and prioritize patient care.
• Demonstrated competency in psychomotor skills.
• Responds appropriately in an emergency situation as per Hospital for Special Care policy and protocol.
• Provides direct care that recognizes differences and needs of patients with an awareness of specific disabilities, age, developmental levels, and cultural background.
• Recognizes changes in patient's condition and communicates changes to RN.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Identifies and utilizes appropriate resources to deliver patient care.
• Collaborates with RN and physician/physician assistant/APRN in order to evaluate or revise a patient's medical plan of care.
• Plans for discharge/education needs and provides necessary materials, referrals and resources to patient/family/caregivers.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team and/or external agencies to ensure effective discharge outcomes.
• Administers medications according to HSC policies and standards including documentation of medication administration.
• Completes documentation of all patient data collected, plan of care, interventions, education, interdisciplinary communication and patient outcomes in collaboration with RN as needed.
• Participates in the admission, discharge and transfer process.
• Performs assigned patient care activities according to Hospital for Special Care standards.
• Utilizes and adheres to nursing and multidisciplinary standards, policies and protocols.
• Completes assignments within required time frame.
• Attends staff meetings.
• Adheres to guidelines and standards of regulatory agencies.
• Participates as a resource to unit staff and students on clinical affiliations.
• Attends educational in-service/conferences (internal/external) to further knowledge.