Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse

The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for performing a variety of duties to provide quality nursing care to residents and to coordinate total nursing care for residents; for participating with the Director of Nursing and the Unit Managers in establishing specific goals; for ensuring compliance with all operating policies and procedures and Michigan Department of Health regulations and Federal Health Care Administration regulations; for communicating with and supervising appropriate personnel; for providing daily reports and other periodic reports; and for performing all the duties of a Certified Nurse Aide when required.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess resident conditions to implement intervention and develop Care Plans. Accurately record resident observations in PCC and follow through on Care Plans. Assure facility medical records policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Make regular rounds of residents independently and with a physician; observe and evaluate resident symptoms, progress, and reactions to treatments and medications and implements interventions as necessary.
• Provide preventative, supportive, maintenance, and rehabilitative care directed to the physiologic and psychosocial needs and well-being of residents.
• Provide care to residents by performing a variety of treatments, including changing dressing, cleansing and/or irrigating wounds and incisions, performing Foley Catheter irrigations, IV therapy, and administering tube feedings, chest tubes and peritoneal dialysis.
• Request and assure supplies and medical equipment are available to perform care and treatments as required by the resident.
• Schedule appointments, physicians, therapy, and consults.
• Monitor and assist CNAs with personal resident care duties such as bathing, feeding and assisting with ambulation, and other routine accommodative services for resident comfort and well-being.
• Receive report from outgoing nurse and make rounds to see each resident daily and as needed.
• Administer medications to residents according to the Public Health Code, Nursing Department Policies, and standards and procedures and as prescribed by the physician; notify appropriate clinical and/or nursing personnel of medication contraindications.
• Advise residents and/or responsible persons regarding changes in medications, treatment plans, and resident condition. Manage and document emergency care of residents, coordinating communications to physicians, responsible persons, DON and Administrator, hospital personnel, emergency transport, and other appropriate personnel.
• Perform comprehensive and focused nursing assessments in conjunction with changes in condition and scheduled programs. Admit, transfer, and discharge residents. Requests and assures supplies and equipment are available to perform care and treatment as required by the patient prior to or at the time of admission. Assure completion of weekly, periodic and discharge summaries.
• Perform quality improvement activities as assigned by the Director of Nursing.
• Monitor rate of accident/incidents occurrences and infection rate on the unit and develop suggestions for corrective action.
• Weekly perform skin assessment to monitor occurrence of pressure injuries or other skin conditions, providing the Director of Nursing written data on the number of occurrences.
• Report resident and staff complaint and all unusual occurrences to the Director of Nursing or Administrator and any allegation of Abuse/misappropriation or neglect to the administrator immediately
• Participate in periodic regulatory surveys by the State of Michigan and participates in the preparation of the Plan of Correction response to an inspection survey.
• Complete and report resident injury to Unit Manager
• Fully understands all aspects of residents' rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse. Is responsible for promptly reporting to the nurse or administrator incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of residents' rights.
• Know and support facility philosophy, standards, policies and procedures
• Communicate with department heads on an as-needed basis to problem solve and plan for more effective patient care. Inform Director of Nursing when staffing requirements are not met.
• Present a professional appearance and serve as unit role model
• Maintain own professional requirements for continuing education and staff development by participating in work related seminars, etc.
• Promotes compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and illness and control worker's compensation costs.
• Ensure equipment is used in a safe manner and report any maintenance concerns to the Environment Plant Manager. Adheres to the Nurse Practice Act.
• Attend staff meetings and in-services as requested.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Required/Desired Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Must possess a current Michigan license as a licensed practical nurse.
• CPR certification required.
• Two years of professional nursing experience in the long-term care setting is preferred.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Knowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a long-term care setting.
• Has strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Basic computer knowledge is required.

Other Special Requirements:

• Tolerate frequent exposure to blood, body tissues, and fluids with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases. As well as, frequent exposure to chemicals and latex, and plastic materials used for personal protective equipment.
• Manual dexterity required to operate modern office equipment.
• Ability to travel as needed or assigned.