Licensed Practical Nurse Innovative Staffing

Summary of Position

The LPN plays an integral role in the success of our team. The primary purpose of this position is to provide high quality, holistic nursing care in accordance with nursing practice standards and health care regulations which govern the practice of professional nursing. When engaged as a contracted/agency nurse, the LPN provides direct resident care and support functions for the client within the scope of the assignment and collaborates with facility leadership and the interdisciplinary team as directed.

Essential Job Functions

Nursing Care Functions

• Conduct the daily nursing functions in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facilities.
• Ensure that all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies and procedures including the safety program.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge of residents with documentation regarding care and service provided.
• Participate in the orientation of new residents/family members to the facility.
• Make rounds with health care providers.
• Utilize nursing personnel qualifications according to the resident’s care plan, wishes, and health care provider orders.
• Complete daily clinical and environmental rounds to evaluate resident care being provided and report significant events.
• Meet and resolve issues with residents and/or family members. Report significant issues to the supervisor.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) as requested by management.
• May be responsible for clinical programs as directed, e.g. dementia, wound care, quality assurance, infection control, admissions.

Communication/Documentation Functions

• Complete an initial assessment and develop an interim care plan.
• Update, review, and transcribe the care plan that identifies the goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs and new health care provider orders.
• Communicate with health care provider to review treatment plans, complete orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies.
• Review the resident’s medical record for specific treatments, medication orders, diets, labs, etc., as well as implementation and follow up.
• Requisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by the health care provider, and in accordance with our established procedures.
• Communicate with the department’s policies and procedures to personnel, residents, and visitors.
• Communicate with written (24-hour report) and oral reports/recommendations concerning any changes in resident condition and other activities of your shift to nursing management.
• Fill out and complete accident/incidents involving residents or staff and submit to Director of Nursing.
• Complete and file assessments and all other medical record documentation as required to provide care services.
• Provide resident and family information for care conferences or other meetings.
• Report all discrepancies noted concerning physician orders, diet change, charting error, etc., to the supervisor.
• Complete clinically accurate documentation according to policy.
• Review the resident medical documentation and progress notes from the interdisciplinary team to determine if the care plan is being followed. Report any concerns to your supervisor.
• Inform nursing personnel of new admissions and the residents’ care needs. Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions. Greet newly admitted residents upon admission.
• Notify the resident’s attending health care practitioner and family when there is a change in the resident’s condition.
• Meet with your assigned support personnel (Housekeeping, Dining Services, Nursing Assistants, etc.) to plan the shift services, programs, and activities and monitor tasks are completed as directed.
• Coordinate services with other members of the disciplinary team (Housekeeping, Dining Services, Nursing, etc.) to ensure that the resident’s total regimen of care is maintained.
• Assist in arranging transportation for residents and other third-party services.

Medication Administration Functions

• Prepare and administer medications ordered by the health care provider.
• Monitor medication, supply, and equipment availability needed for safe medication administration during the shift and notify the Director of Nursing (DON) or designee of shortages per facility procedure.
• Review medication administration records for completeness of information and accuracy in the transcription of the health care provider’s order. Report concerns to your supervisor.
• Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required, and in accordance with established procedures.

Personnel Functions

• Communicate observed staffing concerns that may impact resident care to the Director of Nursing (DON) or designee per facility protocol.
• Follow the unit assignment provided by facility leadership and collaborate with nursing assistants and other team members to ensure assigned care tasks are completed in accordance with acceptable nursing standards.
• Provide clinical guidance and real-time feedback within the scope of the shift to support safe resident care and escalate performance or safety concerns to the Director of Nursing (DON) or designee per facility protocol.
• Report staff performance, conduct, or safety concerns to the Director of Nursing in accordance with established reporting procedures.
• Promptly communicate resident, family, or staff complaints/grievances received during the shift to the Director of Nursing (DON) or designee per facility policy; participate in fact gathering as requested.
• Complete required orientation and competency validations for the assignment and participate in in-service education as directed by the facility or contracting agency.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

• Use required personal protective equipment and follow facility infection prevention and safety practices; notify the Director of Nursing (DON) or designee if protective equipment is not available.
• Maintain nursing service work areas (i.e., nurses' stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.), resident rooms, and treatment areas in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Notify the Director of Nursing (DON) or designee of equipment, medication, and supply needs or shortages observed that may affect resident care and follow established procedures for requesting items as directed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Critical Skills

• Be able to make independent decisions and follow instructions.
• Deal tactfully with personnel, prospects, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the public.
• Capable of working with ill, disabled, elderly, and emotionally upset people within the facility.
• Communicate effectively in a manner that is sufficient for effective communication with supervisors, team members, prospects, residents, and families.
• Knowledge/proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite.

Education and Experience

• Must meet all applicable state and federal requirements for this position.
• Must possess a current and active license to practice as an LPN in this state.
• Prefer to have experience in nursing in a long-term care facility or similar experience.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have any direct reports or supervisory requirements.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Tasks assigned to this position may involve potential and/or direct exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants, and hazardous chemicals.

Physical Requirements - The Physical activities of this position involve:

• Walk long distances.
• Stand for extended periods of time.
• Sustain repetitive movement (CPR compressions, bagging, etc.)
• Maintain physical tolerance (stand/walk/work on your feet for 8-12 hours at a time with minimal breaks)
• Be able to lift to fifty pounds at times.
• Be able to push and pull up to fifty pounds at times.

Cognitive Requirements - The Cognitive activities with or without prosthetics of this position are:

• Executes tasks independently
• Ability to express yourself clearly and effectively
• General computer literacy

Environmental Requirements - An individual in this position may be exposed to:

• Ambient room temperatures and lighting

Other Requirements -

• n/a

Platinum Service®

Platinum Service® is characterized by a high level of responsiveness delivered in a competent, timely and caring way. Employees commit to providing courteous, responsive, and quality service to our residents by following the principles of our Platinum Service® program.

Conclusion

All employees are expected to follow all policies and procedures. These policies and procedures can be found in the employee handbook, department policy and procedure manuals and with your supervisor. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

Acknowledgement

I understand this job description and its requirements, and that I am expected to complete all job-related duties as assigned. I understand the essential functions may be altered from time to time.

By signing below, I acknowledge I am able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. If I require a reasonable accommodation, I will inform the recruiter/hiring manager, my manager, or Human Resources and agree to participate in the interactive process to discuss possible accommodations.