Practical Nurse (Medical Specialty)

Practical Nurse (Medical Specialty)

The Practical Nurse (Medical Specialty) performs assigned nursing duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving patients. Responsible for the coordination of care focused on self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Other duties/responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patents' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. General review by a registered nurse or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.
• Observes, identifies and responds to the patient's needs for care including medication equipment-assisted care and (patient/family education). In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognized and considers emotional, socio-economic, and age-related factors.
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.
• Demonstrates skill, knowledge and proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medication/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
• Recognizes urgent and emergent patient care situation, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.

Performs other duties as listed in functional statement.

US Department of Veterans Affairs