Licensed Practical Nurse- Observation Unit

Job Description

Part Time Night Shift

$2,500 Sign On Bonus

Stepping into the Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) at Bethesda North Hospital, you will find a dedicated team that provides thoughtful, high-quality care for adult and geriatric patients, adhering to Medicare guidelines. This 20-bed unit is a hub for patients requiring further diagnostic testing and treatments, including medical, pre / post-surgical, and cardiac interventions. Every moment counts here, as the team focuses on efficient care delivery, seamless teamwork, and close monitoring of each patient's progress. For nurses joining the CDU, the journey begins with a warm welcome and a comprehensive orientation experience. Your first week includes corporate orientation, followed by personalized one-on-one onboarding with the Nurse Manager or Educator. This ensures every new team member feels supported and ready to start hands-on training with a preceptor. Unit orientation is tailored to individual experience levels, spanning 4-8 weeks of in-depth, competency-based training. Nurses gain expertise through NIHSS certifications, ACLS / BLS training, ECG / telemetry skills, SIM code readiness exercises, and immersive shadowing opportunities. Whether you're a new graduate or an experienced RN, the CDU fosters professional growth through robust support, teamwork, and continuous learning. The unit operates on a 6-week scheduling cycle, including every third weekend and holiday rotations (A, B, C). Flexible options like weekend programs and PRN / Optional scheduling provide a supportive work-life balance. Nurses and Acute Care Technicians (ACTs) collaborate closely, maintaining patient ratios of 1 : 5 RN, 1 : 5 LPN, and 1 : 10 ACT. This teamwork ensures compassionate, safe, and attentive care for every patient. What makes the CDU truly unique? It's the culture of collaboration, the shared commitment to excellence, and the opportunity to make a difference every day-one patient at a time.

Job Overview :

This position contributes to the nursing assessment by collecting, reporting, and documenting objective and subjective data. This position also participates in the development of the Nursing component of the plan of care at the direction of an RN, physician, dentist, podiatrist, or optometrist, and implements the plan of care by providing direct basic nursing care in accordance with the LPN scope of practice set forth in the Nurse Practice Act. Contributes to the evaluation of client responses to nursing care and documents in an accurate and timely manner.

Job Requirements :

Graduate of an approved technical, professional, or vocational program in Nursing

Licensed Practical Nurse

NAPNES certification-if graduated prior to 1988

Working more than 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time as an LPN in acute care

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)

Basic knowledge of the Biological, Physical, Behavioral, Social, and Nursing sciences

Job Responsibilities :

Collects data that contributes to the nursing assessment. Documents ongoing observations per unit / TriHealth guidelines. Communicates observations and findings to the RN and other health team members as appropriate. Includes health counseling and health teaching needs in data collection.

Contributes to the plan of care. Maintains current plan of care by updating as needed. Contributes to the development of both short and long term goals for patients, which include discharge planning. Communicates plan of care to patient / resident, family and health team members.

Implements plan of care and implements / documents patient and resident care plan. Provides a safe and therapeutic environment while maintaining patient rights and dignity. Prioritizes the workload according to patient needs, preferences, and the needs of the unit / facility. Recognizes emergency situations, notifies appropriate personnel, and begins emergency measures. Completes patient assignment, including documentation within scheduled time frame. Bases intervention on clinical data, desired outcomes, nursing judgment and standards of care. Documents according to unit / TriHealth guidelines. Delegates care to other team members within the scope of nursing practice.

Performs technical skills according to policy and procedure and accepted standards. Administers medications within scope of licensure in a timely and safe manner. Uses equipment in a safe and appropriate manner. Interprets and executes physician orders accurately. Maintains working knowledge of unit / TriHealth policy and procedure changes. Maintains unit specific skill competency validation.

Contributes to the evaluation of patient response to nursing care delivered. Communicates to RN / physician in a timely manner the response to care delivered. Documents response of treatment measures according to unit / TriHealth guidelines.

Initiates or participates in activities that promote growth and development within the practice of nursing. Utilizes Chain of Command appropriately. Builds collegial relationships with physician offices and other members of the health care team. Demonstrates autonomy in identifying opportunities for process improvement.

Other Job-Related Information :

The TriHealth Nursing Vision, Mission, and Philosophy speak to professional development, collaboration, and our nursing culture. To achieve excellence in nursing care, TriHealth encourages : pursuit of improved knowledge through continuing education classes, formal education leading to advanced degrees, and the attainment of specialty certification; nurse membership in local, regional, and national nursing organizations related to the appropriate nurse specialty; involvement in activities that better the health of our community; nursing research activities and use of evidence-based practice; all nurses to foster, support, and personally model collaborative relationships amongst nurses, physicians, and other caregivers for the betterment of patient care.

Working Conditions : Climbing - Rarely

Concentrating - Consistently

Continuous Learning - Consistently

Hearing : Conversation - Consistently

Hearing : Other Sounds - Consistently

Interpersonal Communication - Consistently

Kneeling - Occasionally

Lifting

Lifting 50+ Lbs. - Consistently

Lifting

Pulling - Consistently

Pushing - Consistently

Reaching - Consistently

Reading - Consistently

Sitting - Occasionally

Standing - Consistently

Stooping - Frequently

Talking - Consistently

Thinking / Reasoning - Consistently

Use of Hands - Consistently

Color Vision - Consistently

Visual Acuity : Far - Consistently

Visual Acuity : Near - Consistently

Walking - Consistently

TriHealth SERVE Standards and ALWAYS Behaviors

At TriHealth, we believe there is no responsibility more important than to SERVE our patients, our communities, and our fellow team members. To achieve our vision and mission, ALL TriHealth team members are expected to demonstrate and live the following :

Serve : ALWAYS...

• Welcome everyone by making eye contact, greeting with a smile, and saying "hello"
• Acknowledge when patients / guests are lost and escort them to their destination or find someone who can assist
• Refrain from using cell phones for personal reasons in public spaces or patient care areas

Excel : ALWAYS...

Respect : ALWAYS...

Value : ALWAYS...

Engage : ALWAYS...