LPN Licensed Practical Nurse

Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to provide primary care to specific residents under the medical direction and supervision of the residents' attending physicians or the Medical Director of the facility, with an emphasis on evaluation, observation, data collection, illness prevention and health care management. You will also assist in modifying the treatment regimen to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of the resident, in accordance with established medical practices and the requirements of this state and the policies and goals of this facility.

Delegation of Authority

As a Licensed Practical Nurse, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Administrative Functions

• Confer with the Medical Director and the attending physician regarding specific residents assigned to you.
• Consult with the physician concerning resident evaluation and assist the Director of Nursing Services in planning and developing the nursing services to be performed for the resident.
• Initiate requests for consultation or referral. Respond to requests from the resident, physician, or nursing staff.
• Examine the resident and his/her records and charts to distinguish between normal and abnormal findings in order to recognize early stages of serious physical, emotional or mental problems.
• Determine when to refer the resident to a physician for evaluation, supervision, or directions.
• Perform administrative duties regarding assigned residents, such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc.
• Implement and maintain established policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety and environmental and infection control. Interpret these to the physician, resident, family members, and public, as appropriate.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the attending physician, Medical Director, or the Administrator concerning the status and care of the assigned resident.
• Participate in the planning and evaluation of the written policies and procedure that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• Assist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

Committee Functions

• Serve on the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team and work with the team in developing a comprehensive assessment and care plan for residents.
• Provide written and/or oral reports on the status of residents as requested or directed by committees.
• Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to the medical activities of the facility and the care of residents.
• Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, Quality Assessment and Assurance, etc.) as required, and as appointed by the Administrator.
• Schedule, attend, and participate in developing the agenda for Care Plan committee meetings as necessary.
• Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of the Discharge Plans and make such plans available to the Care Plan Committee as required or as may be necessary.

Personnel Functions

• Cooperate with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee relations, interdepartmental and public relations.
• Meet with and solicit advice from the Medical Director, attending physicians, Director of Nursing Services, and nursing staff concerning the care of residents.
• Maintain an effective, friendly working relationship with health professionals, physicians, consultants, and family members involved.
• Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

Medical Care Functions

• Welcome residents and orient them to the environment.
• Provide information and instruction to residents and their families in areas such as resident rights.
• Provide evaluation, observation, data collection and diagnostic services to assigned residents.
• Perform an assessment evaluation and a complete in-depth physical examination. Use assessment techniques including observation, inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Perform optic and ophthalmic examinations.
• Record physical findings, and formulate plans and prognosis based on resident's condition. Report these to the attending physician.
• Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess resident's clinical problems and health care needs. Report these to the attending physician.
• Provide therapeutic services. Confer with the Care Planning Team in the development of the care plan.
• Identify and manage specific minor illnesses such as colds, diarrhea, skin abrasions, simple sprains, and simple foot problems such as corns and calluses.
• Provide, within established protocols and under the supervision of the physician, treatment for uncomplicated diabetes, hypertension, pneumonia, and such other conditions, as agreed upon on writing by the Nurse Practitioner and the physician.
• Provide surveillance of medical regimens for chronically ill persons, adjust regimens within established protocols, and recognize when to refer the resident to his/her physician.
• Give direct physical and psychological nursing care in emergencies, as well as in the presence of an illness or disability, in order to maintain life, provide comfort, reduce stress, and enhance the resident's ability to cope.
• Coordinate the admission or discharge of residents as necessary.
• Work with other health agencies and family members in the physical and emotional transitions of admission, care, and discharge of the resident.
• Assist in resident rehabilitation activities. Where required, perform range of motion, assist in ambulation, provide emotional support. Monitor the results of physical therapy activities.
• Provide preventive health care services. Make recommendations to the resident concerning nutrition and the prevention of common illnesses, accidents, etc.
• Provide information to resident and family members of prevention techniques and other ways to maintain or improve the general health and psychosocial status of the resident.

Staff Development

• Participate as requested by the Medical Director or Director of Nursing Services in the planning and conducting of in-service training classes including medical skills and procedures used within the facility.
• Participate in educational programs for residents, their family members, and the community.
• Assist in the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard.
• Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing advance directive in-service training programs for the staff and community.
• Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.
• Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in the development of a TB management program.
• Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs.

Safety and Equipment

• Assist in monitoring the inventory of medications, medical supplies, and equipment to ensure that an adequate supply is on hand to meet the needs of residents.
• Be familiar with, and use as appropriate, all items of personal protective equipment offered by the facility, including, but not limited to, masks, gowns, gloves, and face shields.
• Ensure that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks in which potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.
• Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks.
• Participate in a program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases, including TB, among the residents and personnel.
• Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.
• Report all hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use