Licensed Practical Nurse

Lexington Regional Health Center
Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Supervisor: Chief Nursing Officer
Department: Nursing
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Administers patient centered nursing care as outlined in scope of practice including assessments, reassessments, medication administration, initiating provider orders, observing and monitoring patient conditions, pain management, completion of patient call backs, etc.
2. Delegates through the appropriate scope of practice.
3. Communicates with providers in regard to patient status, results of diagnostic tests, changes in assessments, etc.
4. Prepares patients for and assists with exams and treatments.
5. Maintains medical record documentation to accurately reflect care administered and patient's condition. Records all care information concisely, accurately, and completely in a timely manner in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms.
6. Provides holistic support to patients and patient designated support system.
7. Educates patients and designated support system on preventative measures, disease management, health care management while at home, etc.
8. Provides accurate and detailed bedside shift report to oncoming staff to ensure consistency and continuity of care.
9. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)
10. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste.
11. Responsible for following safe-injection practices.
12. Responsible for proper collection, storage and labeling of biological specimens.
13. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
14. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
15. Supervises less skilled nursing healthcare personnel.
16. Evaluates and implements patient care plans.
17. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, etc).
18. Participates in shared governance committee.
19. Communicates with multidisciplinary team to ensure patient centered holistic care.
20. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.
21. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Knowledge and understanding of nursing theory and practice and the growth and development of a variety of patients in order to meet the patients' health care needs as is typically acquired through the completion of a Licensed Practical Nursing degree from an accredited school.
2. Must hold a current active Licensed Practical Nurse license from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act.
3. Basic Life Support certification via American Heart Association required within six months of hire.
4. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.
5. Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
6. Ability to immediately respond to common inquires and complaints from patients, employees, and regulatory agencies.
7. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
8. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities.

Working conditions

1. May spend up to 75% of shift completing patient care activities, requiring ambulating and an appropriate body position to complete a task such as squatting or kneeling to help assist patient with dressing. Rest of shift may be spent completing paperwork or computer work for documentation. Transferring patients occasionally to frequently, depending on case load, requires lift of 35 pounds to assist in transfers. A hoyer lift, sit-to-stand lift, or extra assistance may be needed on patients that require extra assist in transfers above the 35 pounds. 17 pound commodes are carried to patient specific rooms up to 200 feet. Transporting patient recliners from room to room up to 150 feet is completed. Wheelchairs require up to 40 horizontal force pounds to transport patients up to 300 feet. Hospital beds require 60 horizontal force pounds to move bed 2 feet or to initiate movement and require 40 horizontal force pounds up to 200 feet to transport patient from room to room, many times completed by 2 person assist. Acute care shelves are to be stocked, reaching 17 inches from floor up to 83 inches high, which may require use of a step stool to reach appropriate heights. IV bags weighing 7 pounds are lifted up to variable heights overhead to be attached to IV poles. Crash cart requires 20 horizontal force pounds to transport up to 150 feet in emergency situations. Chest tube tray in ER weighing 8 pounds is used in appropriate situations, transported up to 200 feet from ER to patient room. Auto CPR device weighs 25 pounds and is used in emergency situations to be transported up to 200 feet from ER to patient room. In emergency situations, nurse may be required to get onto floor to perform CPR or other emergent patient care. Crawling or getting onto floor may be required to clean up messes made in patient rooms as well.
2. Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.
3. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment.

Management responsibilities

1. None

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.