Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Distinct Part Skilled Nursing Facility (Full-Time and Part-Time)

Position Overview

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides nursing care under the direction of the registered nurse (RN), advanced registered nurse (APRN), or licensed physician which does not require the specialized skill, judgment, and knowledge of a registered nurse.

The LPN’s care is in compliance with System policies and procedures to assess residents’ care needs and take appropriate action;

includes recording vital signs, discussing chief health concerns, performing testing, and administering injections; assists with procedures and documentation.

The LPN may assume charge nurse responsibilities in accordance with Mississippi Board of Nursing Provision of Care.

Education

Graduate of accredited school of licensed practical nursing.

License

Current Mississippi practical nurse license as an LPN required; expanded role

licensure preferred.

Certification

Required to complete and maintain BCLS certification.

Experience

A minimum of six (6) months inpatient clinical experience or skilled nursing facility experience as a LPN or Nurse Assistant required.

Experience must be within the past five (5) years, or evidence of successful refresher program.

Physical Demands

Stands, turns, bends, stoops, lifts, climbs, and uses many physical motions in performing day to day activities. Auditory acuity to hear patient verbal communication and gather data using auscultory skills.

Manual dexterity of hands and feet to ambulate 10 hours per 12 hour shift and adroitly manage multiple pieces of equipment / tubes / invasive lines.

Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and do a great deal of walking without experiencing undue fatigue. May be exposed to communicable disease or radiation.

Mental Demands

Keen mental faculties / assessment and decision making skills in the management of acute and chronically ill patients. Communication / speaking / enunciation skills to receive and give information in person and by telephone.

Must be capable of handling high pressure situations. Must have emotional stability conducive to dealing with high stress levels for duration of scheduled shift associated with care of patient / family, rapidly changing patient conditions, emotional demands of patients and families, and demands of maintaining effective working relationships with peers, managers, physicians, and other health care workers.

Special Demands

At end of orientation period, must demonstrates competency in selected psychomotor skills as defined in LPN scope of practice;

competency in providing care to a specific patient population; and thorough knowledge and proficiency in utilization of computer functions, including the electronic medical record.

Must demonstrates appropriate use of lines of authority in clinical and operational matters when seeking direction, validating decision-making, and resolving problematic issues.

Must be able to demonstrate a confident attitude in the presence of patients and family members; must demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to patient / family rights as identified within the institution.

Must demonstrate awareness of legal / ethical issues in patient care and supports risk management activities. Must demonstrate reliability in conscientious and complete manner in which work is performed.