Home Health LPN

Job Title

Requires current LPN licensure within state of branch location and one year of clinical nursing experience, preferably in an acute care medical/surgical setting. Successfully completed nursing education from an approved school of nursing.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must be able to independently organize work and provide effective health care services to homebound patients; ensure appropriate patient care as supervised by the home health nurse Registered Nurse; and document care thoroughly, accurately, and completely on a timely basis. Must accept travel and working conditions as assigned. Must possess effective communication skills (oral and written), as well as, CPR certification. Minimum of twelve hours of continuing education in a twelve month period. Must have a valid driver's license.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to stoop or kneel, bend, lift up to 50 lbs.; push, reach with hands/arm, and smell when providing patient care. Must be able to use hands to write or type. Must be able to move from a vehicle to a patient's residence with supplies and/or equipment. Must be able to drive a motor vehicle. Must be able to walk up stairs in patient residences. Must be able to CPR certified. Potential for exposure to blood and body fluids, sharps, and infectious disease. May be exposed to dangerous animals and traffic hazards while home visiting. May encounter patients and other situations that present a potential threat to personal safety. May encounter temperature change and weather extremes.

Working Environment:

Direct Patient Care 80%; Travel 15%; Office 5%.

Essential Job Functions

1. Provide direct patient care, to include using a variety of skills and necessary coordination of services.
2. Complete appropriate documentation as required by policy and procedure and regulation.

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Provide direct patient care, to include a variety of skills and necessary coordination of services. Provide high quality patient care consistent with the physician's plan of treatment, nursing care plan, agency policies and procedures, and coverage/reimbursement guidelines, consistent with the Nurse Practice Act in the state where care is given. This includes direct treatment, reinforce teaching, and follow-up care to patients as assigned by the Registered Nurse.
2. Utilize a wide range of nursing skills, which include, but are not limited to:
• Injections (IM, SQ)
• Oral medication administration
• Routine eye and ear drops
• Catheter care
• Simple wound care dressing changes
• Decubitus care
• IV site monitoring, i.e., reporting of signs/symptoms of infection or other potential problems.
• Tube feeding monitoring
• CPR
• Infection control practices
• Safety teaching
• Whirlpool treatments
• Colostomy care
• Non-invasive respiratory procedures
• Application of heat/cold
• Bandages and stockings
• Basic nutrition procedures
• Personal hygiene procedures
• Laboratory procedures
• Supplies and DME procedures
3. Responsible for patient care from Monday 8:00 a.m. through Friday 5:00 p.m. after hours and on weekends/holidays, as assigned.
4. Follow the plan of care appropriate to the patient's diagnosis and condition as developed and assigned by the Registered Nurse.
5. Coordinate home care services with the Registered Nurse, Clinical Manager and other agency personnel to optimize patient care, as well as, the patient, family, community agencies, and physicians.
6. Accept and transcribe physician's orders as directed.
7. Forward all clinical, progress, and summary notes to the Registered Nurse for coordination.
8. Attend and participate in patient care conferences.
9. Participate in the agency's Telehealth program by identifying patients who would benefit from the use of a telemonitor such as a patient with CHF, COPD, s/p CABG. Coordinate the placement of the patients on a monitor with the primary case manager.
10. Participate in the utilization of virtual visits for patients who would benefit from this application. The purpose of virtual visits would be to supplement the patient's plan of care and not take the place of a required in-person visit.
11. Complete appropriate documentation as required by policy and procedure and regulation. Complete documentation of patient care and company required records on a timely basis.
12. Document coordination of care as necessary.
13. Other job duties as assigned.