Licensed Practical Nurse

The Position

Incumbent works under the direction of a Registered Nurse or designee, providing nursing care, supervising nursing staff and complying with state statutes and regulations governing the practice of nursing, policies, procedures and physician orders.

Essential Functions

• Perform direct hands-on nursing care and provide resident education.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful and quality work environment.
• Document assessments, care, education, and observations in medical record.
• Participate in developing, implementing, evaluating, and updating individualized interdisciplinary care plans ensuring care plans are updated and reflect individual needs.
• Observe and take appropriate action regarding desired effects, side effects, interactions, and contraindications associated with the medication(s) administered.
• Accompany physician on rounds and assist with exams and treatments.
• Assist with supervising assigned staff (e.g. orienting, training, monitoring and evaluating), ensuring adherence to policy/procedures, work rules, and state and federal laws/regulations.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with team members, families, visitors, and volunteers to create a positive and pleasant environment.
• Complete nursing rounds, assist/consult with nursing/medical staff, inform team members of the resident care needs, conduct change-of-shift reports, and assign team members duties within scope of practice.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the admissions/referrals process, recommend process improvements, and assist with pre-admission reviews/assessments.
• Maintain confidentiality of department, resident, and employee information, communication and documentation, and compliance with privacy laws and regulations.
• Inform appropriate staff, resident's guardian, and physician of changes in condition; continue communication, and report any suspicion/allegation of abuse/neglect to supervisor.
• Review and update documented care plans and discharge plans, and participate in care plan and discharge plan reviews.
• Assist in the admission, transfer, and dismissal of residents completing related documentation.
• Treat residents, coworkers, and the public with dignity and respect.
• Assist with orientating new employees and agency personnel; serve as a mentor/preceptor to coworkers and agency/outside personnel ensuring performance within scope of practice, educating others and being a positive role model.
• Encourage, empower, and support residents maintaining or regaining independence, accommodating individual choices, assisting in directing daily life, and helping maintain personal belongings.
• Investigate complaints and/or suggestions for residents, coworkers, or the public taking steps to remedy problems.
• Promote and maintain a clean and safe environment ensuring malfunctioning equipment is removed and tagged for repairs.
• Respond to and assist with medical and psychiatric emergencies and codes.
• Observe, adhere to, and promote emergency/safety protocols and measures related to hazardous situations (e.g. bio, chemical, fire, weather, internal disasters, wandering residents, community disasters).
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance and Improvement (QAPI) activities.
• Provide and promote a positive image of DCHC, and serve as a representative for community agencies, nursing schools, and the public.
• Cultivate, promote and engage in an environment providing companionship and upholding self-worth.
• Maintain job knowledge and skills (e.g. journals, workshops, seminars, webinars, continuing education, meetings).
• Report to work at assigned location with regular, consistent attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned and directed.

Education and Work Experience and Other Requirements

• Diploma from an accredited college or university in nursing required.
• Licensed Practical Nurse with current Nebraska nursing license or from a compact state recognized by the Nebraska Board of Nursing upon hire and maintained in good standing throughout employment required.
• Basic life support/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification within three (3) months of hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Experience in a healthcare environment including acute care, skilled rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and/or long-term care preferred.
• Experience using an Electronic Health Care Record system preferred.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check, conditional offer drug screen, and physical assessment required.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed in a healthcare facility. Noise level is usually moderate to loud. Work hours are typically standard day-shift hours; however, schedules may vary (e.g. days, shifts, weekends, overtime/extra hours, holidays, emergency call-in). Work involves potential exposure to biohazards and risk of injury from distraught individuals. Work may be stressful when dealing with time constraints, multiple/changing priorities, limited resources, emergency situations and uncooperative/irate individuals.
• Work requires some physical activity, including extended periods of standing, walking, bending, frequent reaching, and occasional sitting, kneeling, climbing, stooping, crouching, and balancing. Work also requires the ability to frequently lift/carry objects up to 50 pounds and push/pull up to 50 pounds of force with grip strength of 65 pounds.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbent must possess hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment.

Douglas County Offers a Comprehensive Benefit Package Including:

• Insurance including health, dental, vision, and life
• Pension
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• 13 Holidays
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Deferred Income plans (457 plan)
• EAP
• Health Savings Accounts

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability/Veterans