Licensed Practical Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Primary Purpose:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) operates under the supervision and guidance of the Resident Services Director (RSD) and the Executive Director of the Community. The LPN assists the Resident Services Director and the Executive Director of the Community in the day-to-day operation of the residence support services and supervises the healthcare given within the residence. 

The LPN must not leave the Community during their shift. In the case of a personal emergency, the Resident Services Director and the Executive Director of the Community must be notified. The LPN will not leave the premises until properly relieved.

The LPN may be assigned other duties by the Resident Services Director and the Executive Director of the Community. These duties may not be listed, but are considered appropriate by the Resident Services Director and the Executive Director of the Community.

Qualifications/Skills Needed:

• The successful candidate must hold a High School Diploma or GED and possess a current, unencumbered Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Alabama.
• Experience in senior resident services, social work, long-term care, or customer service is preferred; clinical supervisory experience is highly desired.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills are essential. Also prefer that the candidate have experience in working with older adults and a comprehensive knowledge of the aging process.
• A flexible work schedule is also a necessity.

Requirements:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Leadership & Caregiving Duties:

• Work with the Resident Services Director and the rest of the operations team to build relationships and strong communication with residents and families to ensure adjustment to Water Oak Villa, identification of needs and problems, and the development of an appropriate plan of service for each individual resident.
• Provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living to meet the resident’s physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual needs with respect and dignity.
• Bathe, dress, and undress residents as needed, and assist with grooming needs such as hair care, mouth care, and nail care.
• Give foot soaks as directed by schedule and monitor lower extremity skin integrity.
• Transport residents and assist with walking; provide physical guidance and transfer assistance safely.
• Assist with toileting as needed, change incontinent briefs, and provide expert perennial care.
• Change bed linens and make beds following proper infection control guidelines. 
• Coordinate and accurately record temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration rates, and food and fluid intake and output, as directed or clinically required.
• Aid in the delivery of specific core programs, such as falls prevention, exercise, and others as identified, which will provide entertainment, socialization, exercise, relaxation, and fulfillment of spiritual needs to all residents.
• Share resident success stories and best practices to demonstrate the impact of improved quality of service provided.
• Participate in family conferences as needed to discuss the resident’s clinical status, review the appropriate service plan, and evaluate the medication regimen.
• Report any immediate clinical concerns or subtle changes in resident’s physical, intellectual, or emotional well-being to the Resident Services Director.

Create and maintain clinical records by:

• Properly creating clinical and administrative Resident Records on move-in.
• Documenting all medications properly on Medication Administration Records (MAR/eMAR) in strict accordance with Alabama nursing standards.
• Using proper clinical notation on RS notes, change-of-shift reports, and physician communication logs.
• Maintaining and reviewing outside provider laboratory reports and diagnostic orders.
• Creating and maintaining all clinical reports including incident, accident, and death reports.
• Completing medical transfer forms and nursing facility discharge records.
• Providing quarterly clinical report care summaries and updated service plans.

Housekeeping & Safety Compliance Duties:

• Clean assigned clinical areas, nurse stations, and medication carts following the cleaning schedule.
• Learn and demonstrate proper cleaning solutions, identify solutions, and display knowledge of solution apparatus and medical device sanitization.
• Familiarize oneself and shift team with MSDS booklet, OSHA mandates, and Universal Work Precautions.
• Understand proper use and calibration of facility medical and care equipment.
• Housekeeping duties may include, but are not limited to, laundering linens and personal clothing, cleaning treatment bathrooms, taking out medical/standard trash, spot cleaning carpets, and changing light bulbs.
• Report observations concerning structural and equipment wear, defects, and malfunctions to the supervisor.
• May perform or assist with kitchen duties as necessary and requested by the supervisor.
• Carry out special clinical duties or safety projects as assigned.

Medication Administration & Shift Supervision Duties:

• Administer or assist residents with medications as scheduled, maintaining strict adherence to the six rights of medication administration.
• Supervise, assign tasks to, and mentor Resident Assistants on shift, ensuring care standards match the philosophy of Water Oak Villa. 
• Pass hydration and snacks as scheduled, verifying therapeutic or fluid-restricted diets. 
• May perform or assist with kitchen and dining room duties as necessary and requested by the supervisor.

Physical Demands:

This position is classified as HEAVY, requiring exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, move, or transfer residents and clinical equipment. 

Functional requirements include constant standing and walking. Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing medical carts, pulling, stooping, bending, turning, and stretching during care delivery.

Fine finger and hand dexterity is required for injections, tactile assessments, and tech logging. Visual and hearing acuity is essential.

The ability to understand and carry out complex written and oral medical instructions is necessary, and the ability to perform basic mathematical computations for dosage calculations is required.