Licensed Practical Nurse

Position Title:

LPN Nurse

Department:

Assisted Living/Memory Care

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Supervisor:

Director of Nursing

Supervises:

Assisted Living and
Memory Care

PTO Classification:

Full Time

 POSITION SUMMARY

The LPN promotes the provision of resident care, promotes a team approach with the Resident Assistants, Certified Nursing Assistants, and other team members in Activities, Housekeeping and Dining Services. The LPN provides direct care as well as directs and oversees care provided by the caregivers to ensure the Resident’s Plan of Care is followed. An active approach to resident care will be taken and not just passive maintenance. LPN’s will be deeply involved in resident activities and programming and must understand and have a desire to grow in dementia-specific care.

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.

• Support the maintenance of wellness objectives, standards of wellness practice, and wellness policies and procedure manuals.
• Identifies ongoing needs and services of residents through the assessment/ Service Plan process including documentation for residents with a change in health care status.
• Responds promptly to resident needs.
• Provide for or assist Residents with activities of daily living as needed, including bathing/showing according to schedule, oral care, toileting, dressing, etc. Perform restorative nursing techniques including proper positioning, ADL training, and Passive Range of Motion. Assist in providing appropriate information and behavioral prompts, cues, redirection, and affirming support to Residents in need. Support hydration programs and good dining experience and dietary intake. 
• Maintain restraint-free environment at all times. Support fall prevention programs for all Residents in need.  This includes proactive intervention use, monitoring, safety in the rooms and rounds.
• Assist in post-mortem care as instructed.
• Communicate appropriate and timely information to Families as indicated. Report any family concerns to supervisor and/or Director of Nursing. Share with team members information they may need to know to improve care delivery in timely manner.
• Oversee and manage medication delivery system to include timely order entry, receipt and tracking as well as daily MAR documentation, narcotic count, and checking in medications in a timely manner as assigned to ensure Resident compliance to medication regime. Notify pharmacy and supervisor of issues and seek to resolve in a timely manner.
• Responsible for infection control policy and procedures, updating, and maintaining manual when indicated and keeping sufficient infection control supplies on hand in an easily accessible place.
• Willingness to work beyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily when necessary.
• Coordinate with the Food Service Director to ensure that all residents receive diets prescribed by the physician.
• Responsible for maintaining documentation which reflects wellness care provided, individual’s response to care, and disposition of each case.
• Arrange for a competent, qualified team members to assume the duties and responsibilities during any absence of the Director of Nursing.
• Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission, as well as on an ongoing basis, to ensure the community meets appropriate placement needs of resident.
• Maintain open, effective, and ongoing communication with the community’s medical staff and medical community.
• Ensure a safe and sanitary environment for residents, team members, and visitors.
• Keep the Director of Nursing informed regarding work performance of resident team members and any unusual incident or problem regarding residents, team members, or community.
• Understand, follow and ensure compliance with safety and infection control policies and procedures to include encouraging the practice of regular and thorough handwashing and ensuring adherence to established procedures in the use and disposal of personal protective equipment and use of safety equipment.
• Ensures confidentiality of all verbal and written information regarding residents, associates, and records or files pertaining to the community.
• Demonstrates good judgment, strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Attends in-service and education programs and attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure. Develop and maintain professional affiliations.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned or needed. 

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and, in a manner, consistent with Remember Me Senior Care culture and values.  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:

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Current Licensed Practical Nurse License in the state of Tennessee.
• Must demonstrate competence in assessment skills, injections/medication administration, follow up and triage.  

Certifications, Licenses and other Special Requirements:

• Maintains current unrestricted state license as a Licensed Professional Nurse or a Professional Registered Nurse per state regulations. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Language Ability:
  • Possess the ability to deal tactfully with team members, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, and the general public.
  • Must possess the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, team members, and outside contacts.
  • Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills utilizing the English language.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
  • Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or team members of organization.
• 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:
• Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Possess the leadership ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise professionals.
• Possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing practices.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be caring and compassionate in dealing with the residents as well as team members.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and, at times, hostile people within the community. 

• Computer and Technical Skills:
  • Ability to use Microsoft Windows, including Word and Excel. Ability to use email and the Internet.
  • Must know how to use a wide variety of medical equipment that is necessary tools of performing the job.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

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.  

The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to touch, handle, and feel, and required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must be able to lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to lift and transfer residents, using proper body mechanics as needed. Professional office environment but may have some exposure to therapy animals. Attend business-related functions. Occasional travel to long term care facilities, rehabilitation facilitates, etc. as assigned. Must be able to work well under pressure, to resolve conflicts, to prioritize tasks, and follow through with ideas. Excellent verbal and written skills, interpersonal and mediation skills, ability to evaluate workers’ performance, strong working knowledge of employment laws and company regulations. Must be able to work evenings and weekends and maintain a flexible work schedule. Knowledge and implementation of the universal safety and infection control precautions is critical.