Licensed Practical Nurse- BMA Internal Medicine

UPMC Altoona Regional Health Services is hiring a full-time LPN to support BMA Internal Medicine. This position will work daylight hours.

Sign-on bonus details:

$7,500 available for LPNs with a minimum of one year of experience. Two-year work commitment.

$5,000 available for LPNs with less than one year of experience (includes GPNs). Two-year work commitment.

Act as a member of the health-care team by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, experience in nursing and competency. Depending on clinical area and training, may provide care and IV therapy following UPMC LPN Practice Guidelines and policies, and the State Board Regulations.The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care using focused assessment in settings where nursing takes place under the direction of a Registered Nurse or other licensed UPMC provider.

Responsibilities:

* The LPN is licensed to function as a member of the health-care team by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, experience in nursing and competency. The LPN participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care using focused assessment in settings where nursing takes place.An LPN shall communicate with a licensed professional nurse and the patient's health care team members to seek guidance when the patient's care needs exceed the licensed practical nursing scope of practice. The patient's care needs surpass the LPN's knowledge, skill or ability. The patient's condition deteriorates or there is a significant change in condition, the patient is not responding to therapy, the patient becomes unstable or the patient needs immediate assistance. An LPN shall obtain instruction and supervision if implementing new or unfamiliar nursing practices or procedures. An LPN shall follow the written, established policies and procedures of UPMC, UPMC LPN Practice Guidelines and the State Practice Act. Acts within the LPN Practice guidelines including IVs as trained and where clinically appropriate and within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment. Formulates daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner. Communicates the patient's condition to other care providers. Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers.
* Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction of the patient experience in daily work. Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues. Actively participates in unit activities and willing to provide assistance to care team members. Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home. Demonstrates a passion for developing others by supporting the orientation and developing new LPNs and patient care support staff. Regularly seeks feedback on performance and applies continuous professional improvement. Supports continuous learning in the clinical areas by participating in organizational and system programs. Identifies opportunities for clinical quality as well as workplace improvement. Seeks and participates in opportunities to assist in identification process improvement opportunities to improve patient care. Partners and collaborates with the health care team and the patients and families to achieve desired patient outcomes. Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues. Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy relationships. Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life. Models safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyle. Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
* Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

* Completion of a Practical Nursing Program approved by the State Board of Nursing.
* In order to perform any IV therapy, must have successfully completed the IV therapy curriculum. If graduated in 2012 to present day, IV therapy curriculum is included in the PA State Board Approved Programs. If graduated prior to 2012, the LPN will need to provide official proof of completion of IV therapy approved program. LPNs without this training will not be permitted to perform IV therapy.
* The individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures. Ability to identify process improvement opportunities to improve patient care and encompasses collaboration with the health care team and the patients and families to achieve desired patient outcomes. Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families. Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment. Mobility and visual manual dexterity. Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients. Computer skills required to utilize the electronic health record.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
* LPN must maintain state licensure where they are practicing or in a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the state where the facility is located.
* In order to perform IV therapy, and if graduated prior to 2012, the LPN will need to provide official proof of completion of IV therapy approved program.
* Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
* Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
* Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran