Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse

The Licensed Practical Nurse provides basic therapeutic nursing care according to established standards of practice under the direction and supervision of the RN. Provides care to those patients and caregivers whose care requirements are routine and standardized with predictable outcomes. Assists the RN and healthcare team to achieve desired patient outcomes. Relies on education, training and established guidelines to complete responsibilities. Initially requires instruction and guidance to accomplish job which should develop into working under general supervision.

Responsibilities

Performance Excellence

• Plan and provide advanced professional nursing care in resident care areas to include collecting and analyzing resident data, developing and implementing nursing care plans, responding to emergency and specialized resident care situations, evaluating nursing care practices and communicating to appropriate personnel relevant facts about residents, nursing services rendered and resident responses.
• Assist other nursing personnel in the administration of total resident care and serve on nursing unit as assigned.
• Administer medications and treatments, start I.V.s place NG tubes, insert Foley Catheters, obtain blood samples, maintain resident charts and progress reports and respond to basic and emergency resident needs.
• Provide direction and guidance in the proper use, care and control of material resources and medications; appraise quality and effectiveness of material, equipment and facilities and report results to supervisory personnel; maintain standards of cleanliness in assigned areas.
• Initiate emergency procedures, request laboratory tests and provide nursing instructions to supportive staff personnel.
• Coordinate and observe activities of supportive nursing staff and make recommendations for improvements in the quality and effectiveness of nursing care provided to residents.
• Provide resident and family instructions to facilitate progressive and recuperative medical programs.
• Serve as professional interface with physicians and ancillary personnel to obtain and communicate information regarding resident care and related medical programs.
• Assist in the development and implementation of general policies and procedures designed to affect the efficiency of nursing service operations.
• Participate in problem solving affecting the care of residents with complex needs.
• Describe physical/psychosocial and teaching needs of residents with complex problems. Provide phlebotomy services as needed.
• Utilize resources to interpret diagnostic test findings and physical assessment data in relation to all body systems and resident as a whole.
• Participate in the development of plans to meet resident/family teaching needs and provide advanced clinical services in caring for residents with multi-system problems.
• Develop appropriate discharge plan for each resident and coordinate implementation with Social Service Coordinator.

Team

• Review timecards daily and approve timecards in KRONO on payroll Monday.
• Assist with the interview team for hiring new team members into their areas
• Completes disciplinary warnings (Performance Correction Notices) as required and provides education/direction to direct care staff as needed and forwards to the DON. Completes timely disciplinary actions involving staff supervised according to disciplinary policy.
• Communicates facility/departmental information via multiple modalities (email, bulletin boards, meetings, etc). Keeps direct supervisor informed of departmental activities, needs, problems, and solutions
• Assist in the training and instructing of new personnel; monitor work for accuracy and completeness to ensure compliance with professional standards and established nursing services requirements. Recommend in-service programs on recognized clinical issues and needs.
• Provide input to supervisory personnel in evaluating progress toward meeting unit goals
• Maintains visibility in departments by spending at least 80% of time on the unit and consistent rounding
• Responsible for working with staffing coordinator to create and deploy work schedules and maintaining safe staffing levels.
• Supervise a variety of personnel actions to include but not limited to, consultation with shift supervisor for merit recommendations, promotions, and transfers.
• Holds department team members accountable for adherence to policies/procedures
• Monitor and oversee the timely documentation of ADLs for CNA staff.
• Compiles and completes daily Unit reports related to resident and staff updates.
• Monitor and maintain medication carts for OTC and insulin to ensure the timely reordering of medications.

Transformation

• Accepts additional work as assigned by Director of Nursing and attends all required mandatory educational sessions.
• Interpret and implement safety practices; set standards for nursing staff and others involved in the maintenance of sanitary and sterile conditions.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and a positive, calm environment.

Qualifications

Experience

• At least 2 years experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse in an long-term or acute care setting with charge or supervisory experience.

Education

• Graduate of an accredited professional school with a licensure in Licensed Practical Nursing. IV Certification

Training

• Must possess exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills Must possess knowledge of computer systems: Microsoft Office modules

Special Skills

• None

Licensure

• Current licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Louisiana.; BLS