Licensed Practical Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Provides prescribed medical treatment and personal care services to ill, injured, convalescent, and disabled persons in the retirement community and health center by performing the following duties :

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. This list is not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Interviews patient to determine medical problem / condition and documents in medical record. Obtains and records patient's vital signs and weight.
• Assists physician with patient examination as needed.
• Reviews physician's orders, lab requests, or follow-up needs with patient.
• Documents services performed for billing purposes.
• Observes patients and reports adverse reactions to medication or treatment to physician, supervisor, etc.
• Administers prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques. Notes time and amount on patients' charts.

Knowledgeable of common action, usual dosage, and side effects.

• Assembles and uses such equipment as catheters, pressure relief equipment, and oxygen supplies.
• Collects samples for laboratory such as urine, blood, and sputum, from patients. Performs routine tests on samples such as glucometer tests and urine dipsticks.
• Compliance - Participates in all in-service programs to expand and develop abilities. Maintains compliance to all personnel policies, established community policies and procedures, and Federal and State regulations and standards, including but not limited to HIPAA privacy and confidentiality laws.

Understands and implements the Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness Plan and evacuation procedures of the community during drills and actual emergencies.

• Prepares or examines food trays for prescribed diet and sets up / feeds patients as needed.
• Records food and fluid intake and output.
• Bathes, dresses, and assists patients in walking, transferring, and turning.
• Cleans rooms, makes beds, and answers patients' calls.
• Washes and prepares bodies of deceased persons.
• Follows up with patients, family and / or physician offices on lab results, including the scheduling of any additional tests.
• Coordinates referrals / appointments for patients and physician offices.
• May need to respond as appropriate to personal calls from the Independent Living Center. Duties in this setting may include but are not limited to providing First Aid, call emergency personnel (dial 911), and / or call family members at request of Independent Living residents
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides supervision to Certified Nursing Assistants and others as assigned to assure delivery of consistently high quality care to residents.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Educational Requirements and Experience :

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university preferred; one to two years related experience and / or education;

or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licensed Practical Nurse license in good standing with applicable state.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Language Ability :
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, speaking the primary language of the residents.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or Team Members of organization.
• Able to verbalize effectively with physicians, residents, team members, or others.
• Mathematical Skills :
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret graphs.

• Cognitive Demands :
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Computer Skills :
• Ability to use Microsoft Windows. Ability to use email and the Internet.
• Competencies :

o Must demonstrate an interest in working with a senior population.

o Provides leadership by exhibiting confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well.

o Interacts with guests, residents and staff in a courteous and friendly manner.

o Responds promptly to resident and visitor needs and assistance.

o Supports organization's goals and values.

o Balances team and individual responsibilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

• Works primarily indoors in a climate controlled setting.
• Team Members may be exposed to blood and / or body fluids with potential exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases.
• Possible exposure to unpleasant odors.
• Possible exposure to chemicals as identified in the MSDS Manual.
• Continuous exposure to residents who are ill, confused, irritable and irrational.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee is frequently required to walk;

use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to 50 pounds independently and up to 190 pounds with assistance of a second employee and / or mechanical devices.

Must be able to push up to 350 lb. (wheelchair). The employee may occasionally be required to lift greater than 190 pounds with the assistance of additional staff and / or a mechanical lift.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.