Licensed Practical Nurse

Position Summary

The core purpose of this position is to provide direct nursing care to residents and supervise the daily activities of nursing assistants . This supervision must adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations and facility guidelines to ensure the highest quality of care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties are extensive and cover various aspects of nursing care and facility operations. They can be categorized as follows :

Administrative Functions

Supervision and Compliance : Directing nursing assistants, ensuring compliance with facility policies and procedures, and maintaining the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.

Communication and Reporting : Making reports on shift activities, cooperating with other services, and interpreting policies to various stakeholders.

Resident Management : Admitting, transferring, and discharging residents, and completing necessary forms and accident / incident reports.

Confidentiality : Protecting resident information and reporting any unauthorized access or disclosure.

Charting and Documentation

Record Keeping : Completing and filing all required resident documentation upon admission, transfer, and discharge.

Physician Orders : Receiving and transcribing physician orders, and encouraging physicians to maintain updated records.

Nurses' Notes : Documenting care provided and resident responses in a clear and descriptive manner.

Reporting Discrepancies : Identifying and reporting any errors or discrepancies in physician orders, diets, or charting.

Drug Administration Functions

Medication Administration : Preparing and administering medications accurately and safely, verifying resident identity, and ensuring correct medication is given to the correct resident.

Supply Management : Ensuring adequate stock of medications and supplies, and ordering as needed.

Narcotic Control : Maintaining accurate narcotic records and reporting discrepancies.

Medication Review : Reviewing medication cards for accuracy and adherence to policies.

Disposal : Properly disposing of drugs and narcotics.

Personnel Functions

Performance and Staffing : Participating in employee evaluations, determining staffing needs, and making recommendations regarding personnel actions.

Supervision and Leadership : Providing leadership, making daily rounds to ensure performance standards are met, and developing work assignments.

Training and Development : Ensuring nursing assistants are properly trained and supervised.

Teamwork and Environment : Fostering a positive and collaborative work environment, and addressing personnel complaints.

Disciplinary Actions : Ensuring fair and non-discriminatory disciplinary actions.

Shift Reports : Receiving and giving shift reports.

Exposure Reporting : Reporting occupational exposures to hazardous materials.

Nursing Care Functions

Resident Admission and Orientation : Preparing rooms for new admissions, greeting residents, and participating in their orientation.

Physician Rounds and Consultations : Accompanying physicians on rounds and consulting on resident care.

Treatment and Care Plan Implementation : Implementing and maintaining nursing objectives, standards, and care plans.

Monitoring and Evaluation : Making rounds to ensure treatments are administered and evaluating resident status.

Restorative and Rehabilitative Care : Carrying out programs to promote resident independence.

Direct Care Procedures : Administering professional services such as catheterization, tube feedings, wound care, and specimen collection.

Vital Signs and Monitoring : Taking and recording vital signs and monitoring seriously ill residents.

Dietary Compliance : Checking food brought by visitors for dietary compliance.

Resident Well-being : Ensuring residents who cannot call for help are checked frequently and meeting with residents / families to address concerns.

End-of-Life Care : Informing families of resident deaths and assisting with post-mortem procedures.

Staff Development

In-service Training : Participating in planning and conducting in-service training.

Orientation Program : Implementing orientation for new employees.

Continuing Education : Attending and participating in training programs to maintain licensure and stay current with professional changes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Language Proficiency : Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English, including technical procedures and policy manuals.

Communication Skills : Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions.

Resident Care Knowledge : Understanding of age-related needs and ability to relate resident condition information.

Teamwork : Ability to be a supportive team member and contribute to a team concept.

Decision Making : Ability to make independent decisions.

Interpersonal Skills : Tactful communication with personnel, residents, families, and external agencies.

Professional Knowledge : Knowledge of nursing and medical practices, laws, regulations, and guidelines for nursing facilities.

Leadership : Leadership and supervisory abilities, willingness to work harmoniously with others.

Organizational Skills : Ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret programs and policies.

Personal Attributes : Patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, enthusiasm, and the ability to handle difficult residents.

Adaptability : Willingness to learn new methods and incorporate them into practice.

Safety : Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Education & Experience

Education : A Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or graduation from an approved LPN / LVN program.

Licensure : A current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an LPN / LVN in the state.

Certifications : Current CPR certification.

Preferred Experience : Knowledge and experience with PCC (likely referring to a specific healthcare software system) are preferred.

Continuing Education : Must maintain all required continuing education and licensing.

Good Standing : Must remain in good standing with the State Board of Nursing.