Licensed Practical Nurse (Lpn)

Job Summary:   The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for providing direct patient care under the delegation and supervision of a registered nurse. Responsibilities include following the plan of care, providing treatments, and working collaboratively with the members of the team to help meet positive patient care outcomes. The LPN may also provide basic personal care, when required.

Essential Functions:

• Provides direct patient care in accordance with the patient’s plan of care and the LPN’s/LVN’s scope of practice, as delegated by the supervising RN.
  • Interviews patients and records their medical history and physical condition.
  • Obtains patient vital signs, including pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and respiration.
  • Observes patients’ health and notifies the RN when changes may be necessary to the plan of care
  • Communicates with patients, caregivers, and their families.
  • Reviews medical charts.
  • Assists the registered nurse and provides care for patients as outlined in the plan of care, including:
    • Provides patient, family, and caregiver education
    • Administers medications.
    • Provides wound care.
    • Prepares and administers injections and/or enemas.
    • Monitors catheters.
• Implements current nursing practice following a comprehensive assessment and the plan of care.
• Provides accurate and timely documentation of patient services in the electronic medical record.
• Participates in coordination of hospice services, appropriately reporting the identified needs to the interdisciplinary team. Attends IDT meetings as necessary or appropriate.
• Uses and prepares equipment and supplies effectively, adhering to aseptic technique.
• Provides appropriate pain/symptom management.  Evaluates patient’s response to treatments/medications.
• Performs the following or similar patient-care tasks in accordance with the plan of care developed by the RN, when required: assist with general hygiene including bathing, ambulation and/or exercise, and making an occupied bed.
• Participates in personal, professional growth and development.  Also participates in organization's quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities, as well as other sponsored in-service training.
• As requested, participates in the development of care delivery goals, strategic planning, and in individual, team, and organizational process improvement activities and in the development of protocols and standards for hospice practice.
• Utilizes allocated supplies and resources appropriately to ensure business outcomes are met.
• Adjusts to changes in workload and schedules based on changing team priorities.
• Adheres to organizational policies, procedures, code of conduct and all regulatory and legal requirements.
• Adheres to the NorthStar standards to care for every person, every time, 100% of the time.
• Works to achieve certification in Hospice nursing preferred.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited Practical Nurse or vocational nursing program.
• Three (3) years’ nursing experience.  Community health/hospice or medical/surgical
  experience is preferred.
• Currently licensed as an LPN in the State of Michigan and maintain such licensure in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and perform within the scope specified.
• Complies with accepted professional standards and practice.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
• Understands philosophy of hospice concept.  Also understands needs of the terminally ill.
• The physical demands of the position include vision, effective speech, and hearing for extensive telephone contact; repetitive motion; traveling; driving or riding in motor vehicle for extended periods; standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and stretching; lifting up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted and the ability to assist in lifting patients using appropriate lifting techniques and/or devices.
• Proof of current tuberculin testing required.  Patient contact will not be allowed until tuberculin clearance is documented.
• Must be able to work variable hours/shifts and/or days, including weekends.  Must have the ability to occasionally work extended days, as necessary. 
• Licensed driver with automobile that is insured in accordance with organization requirements and is in good working order, if assigned to patients in community home environment.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.