OB Licensed Practical Nurse ( LPN ) - Bronson Battle Creek Birthplace - OB / Labor Delivery / Mother Baby

Job Opportunity at Bronson Healthcare

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Position Title

OB Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Bronson Battle Creek Birthplace - OB / Labor Delivery / Mother Baby

The Bronson Birthplace in Battle Creek has 15 beds 11 for labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum (LDRP) care, 4 for antepartum/post-op care, 2 operating rooms and 3 triage bays. Additionally, the unit includes a newborn nursery. Here, pregnant, laboring and postpartum patients, as well as healthy newborns, receive comprehensive care. LPNs on this unit have the opportunity to care for postpartum couplets, assist in operating room procedures and provide support during deliveries.

Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, provides prescribed medical treatment and personal care services which are within the scope of the practice of practical nursing to laboring, ill, injured, convalescent, and disabled persons as delegated, appropriate to the patient's level of acuity and in accordance with established policies and procedures of the department and organization. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, and according to established policies and procedures, the LPN assists with surgical procedures as a scrub member of the obstetrical/surgical team. Prepares instruments and maintains a clean and safe obstetrical/surgical environment. The LPN will assist the Registered Nurse in collecting data, accompanying patients and responding to patient/family requests for services. The LPN may pass medications and administer IV therapy, per medication administration policy. Employees providing direct patient care must demonstrate competencies specific to the population served.

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and successful completion of an accredited program for Licensed Practical Nursing required. Experience in health care delivery setting preferred. Licensed Practical Nurse in good standing with the State of Michigan required. BLS and NRP certification required and/or achieved by the end of the core orientation period. Basic fetal monitoring course required and/or achieved by the end of the core orientation period.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate specific clinical competencies required to perform the functions of the LPN within a general orientation period of approximately 3 months.
• move and respond quickly to emergency situations
• input and retrieve data from computerized systems
• rotate within service line and related service areas
• effectively communicate with patients, visitors, and all members of the care delivery team; speech is clear, easily understood and grammatically correct; writing is clear and legible, demeanor is comforting and positive

Ability to work in environment:

• Which produces very high levels of mental/visual fatigue, e.g. CRT work between 70-90 percent of the time, and work involving extremely close tolerances and considerable hand/eye coordination for sustained periods of time.
• That involves considerable standing or walking, regular lifting of bulky or moderately heavy weights (i.e., 50 pounds or less) and assisting with heavier tasks such as assisting in lifting and moving patients or expending the equivalent effort in pushing, pulling, or otherwise handling material, equipment, and other objects. Minor straining or fatiguing positions must be assumed, and some fatiguing physical motions are required.

Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Admission and Preparation

• Admits patients to the obstetrical department and completes preparation tasks
• Coordinates with charge nurse/registered nurse when patient needs exceed scope of LPN practice, when census and acuity are high, and as needed.
• Documents all data gathered and care given. Communicates status of patient to the physician.
• Maintains patient flow through the area.

Implementation

• Implements skilled technical care within the limits of the LPN license and unit-specific and generic structure guidelines
• Implements appropriate protocols per physician order or in consultation with the registered nurse/charge nurse.
• Documents all interventions implemented by members of the healthcare team.
• Maintains awareness of Central Monitoring System including alarms and notifies RN with any alarms/abnormal FHR tracings.
• Responds to call lights, monitor alarms providing assistance to patients and families.
• Collects and records patient data including food and fluid intake and output, weight, vital signs, caloric counts and demographic information
• Manages IV fluid and mediation administration. Administers specified medication safely and appropriately, orally or by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, and notes time and amount on patients' charts.
• Observes patients and reports adverse reactions to medication or treatment to medical personnel in charge.
• Dresses wounds, gives enemas, douches, alcohol rubs, and massages; applies compresses, ice bags, and hot water bottles. Bathes, dresses, and assists patients in walking and turning. Collects samples, such as urine, blood, and sputum, from patients for testing.
• Prepares or examines food trays for prescribed diet and feeds patients.
• Washes and dresses bodies of deceased persons.
• Assists in delivery, care, and feeding of infants.
• Assembles and uses such equipment as catheters and oxygen suppliers.
• Sterilizes equipment and supplies.
• Inventories and requisitions supplies.
• Utilizes computerized systems to acquire needed supplies and to enter patient data as defined by role.
• Maintains a clean, orderly environment.
• Performs the duties of a scrub nurse and surgical assist for assigned obstetrical cases. Reviews assigned procedures and ensures that all instruments and equipment are available and properly prepared according to established standards and individual provider's preference. Assembles surgical trays and ensures that all equipment is properly assembled and in good working order. Scrubs and sets up sterile table; assists in accurately counting all instruments, needles, sharps and sponges; assists with gowning and gloving, assisting instruments, sutures, and other equipment as requested and anticipation of needs.
• Prepares operating room and Labor/delivery room for deliveries and procedures.
• Assists the Physicians/CNMs/PNPs and nursing personnel before during and after deliveries.
• Tears down the OR, LDRP room following procedures and deliveries, and assists house-keeping with cleaning as needed. Cleans equipment and returns to appropriate places. Prepares and returns instruments for cleaning and sterilization. Returns unused supplies to appropriate places.
• Checks, orders and restocks supplies inventories, instruments and equipment in appropriate areas. Rotates stock, stocks patient rooms, supply rooms, procedure carts, medication room, and utility rooms.
• Picks up and delivers specimens, equipment, meal trays, blood products and stat pharmacy orders.
• Cleans, cares for, and is able to utilize the computers and Central Fetal Monitoring systems in the obstetrical area.
• Sorts, files reports.
• Answers telephones, takes and relays messages, serves a unit communication source.
• Demonstrates commitment to providing outstanding customer service in a manner that is reflective of our mission, values and customer service standards.
• Maintains a working knowledge of policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical and professional behavior.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Patient Education and Discharge

• Provides teaching materials to patients based on identified patient needs, guidelines for care, and in coordination with providers and RNs; documents completely.
• Follows through on discharge process, assist patient as needed with appointments for further definitive care, rechecks, and others. Completes entries in EIPC.

Teamwork

• Participates appropriately and effectively as a member of the health care team.

Professional Growth and Development

• Develops and works toward achievement of own yearly professional goals and objectives
• Meets organizational obligations professionally
• Effectively precepts new employees, and other students in unit.
• Communicates with the Registered Nurse about patient status, interventions completed, data collected and pertinent input to facilitate care planning.