LPN Days

OBJECTIVE

To assist in planning, organizing, developing and directing Nursing Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the Department Director and/or Administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

QUALITIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES OF WORK

1. Create and maintain and atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit.

2. Make independent decisions regarding nursing care.

3. Checks residents daily to assure that prescribed treatment is being properly administered by nursing personnel/assistants and to evaluate their physical and emotional status. Record findings in the resident's chart.

4. Chart nurses notes in an informative and descriptive manner that reflects the care provided as well as the resident's response to the care.

5. Forward new diet orders, and/pr diet changed to the dietary department.

6. Perform direct resident care as needed including transfers, feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting residents to ensure quality of resident care.

7. Verify the identification of the resident before administering medication treatment, etc.

8. Admit, transfer, and discharge residents. Assist in arranging transportation, packing, etc., as necessary.

9. Assure that resident is escorted to the discharge/transfer area.

10. Administer professional service such as: catheterization, tube feedings suction, applying and changing dressings/bandages, packs, colostomy and drainage bags, sputum, urine specimens, massage and exercises, care of the dead/dying, etc., in accordance with established policies and procedures.

11. Assure that established infection control and aseptic techniques are followed by all personnel at all times and when isolation procedures become necessary.

12. Assume the authority and accountability of directing your unit/shift including assigning Nursing Assistance specific duties for resident care, assign hours, breaks, and meal periods to Nursing Assistants.

INITIATIVE

1. Assist in the planning, developing organizing, implementing evaluating, and directing your unit's activities.

2. Review complaints and grievances, and make necessary oral/written reports to the RN Supervisor.

3. Attend and participate in your professional association's activities and programs, etc., to assure that you keep abreast of current regulations and guidelines, as well as professional standards and make recommendations on changed in policies and procedures to the Department Director/RN Supervisor.

4. Check resident charts for specific treatment, medication orders, schedules, etc., daily.

5. Review resident care plans for appropriate resident goals, problem approaches, etc., to assure appropriate nursing care is being rendered, and add to care plan as resident condition warrants in coordinations with the interdisciplinary team.

6. Carry out restorative and rehabilitative programs, to include self help/care.

7. Perform routine charting as required.

8. Check food in resident rooms that is brought in by the resident's family or visitors in accordance with established policies and procedures.

PRODUCTIVITY

1. Meet with department personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis. To assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

2. Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Department Directors and/or RN Supervisor concerning the operation of the nursing unit/shift.

3. Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.

4. Assure that nursing personnel follow our established nursing procedures.

5. Review resident care plans, cardex, treatment plan, etc., at least monthly, and make recommendations to the Department Director/RN Supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE OF WORK

1. Assist in developing and maintaining nursing objectives and standards.

2. Interpret department policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, family members etc., as necessary.

3. Ensure that resident's rights to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property, and civil rights including the right to wage a complaint are followed by all department personnel.

4. Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent resident care information to assure resident rights are protected.

5. In cases of death, may call the funeral home as requested by the family, or as otherwise outlined in our established policies. Assure that the body is properly prepared/cleaned for pick up under RN supervision.

6. Evaluate emergencies and determine emergency measures to be used, including the use of chemical or mechanical restraints. Notify the RN Supervisor and record and follow orders.

7. Fill out and complete accident/incident report forms on all resident accident/incidents and chart such information in the resident's medical records as outlined in our established policies and procedures.

8. Attend and participate in supervisory and inservice meetings.

9. Take TPRs, blood pressures, etc., and chart as required.

10. Encourage attending physician(s) to review treatment plans, record and sign physicians orders, progress notes, etc.

11. Prepare/administer medications as ordered bu the physician. (Note: Medications set up by one nurse MAY NOT be administered by another nurse.)

12. Answer telephone inquiries as outlines in our established policies and procedures.

13. Complete required record keeping forms/charts upon the resident's admission, discharge, transfer, etc. File in the resident's chart and/or forward to appropriate department.

14. Order prescribed mediations, supplies, and equipment as established bu our policies and procedures.

15. Write resident charge slips and submit to the Business office.

16. Maintain the daily census report and submit to the supervisor.

17. Review physician's orders, transfer/preadmission information, etc., for completeness.

18. Transcribe physician's orders to resident charts; cardex medication cards treatment plans, etc., to assure that they remain current.

19. Requisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by the physicians, either within the facility or by outside arrangements in accordance with established policies and procedures.

20. Assure that narcotic records are current at all times.

21. Make rounds with the physician and assist with examinations and treatment.

22. Notify physician changes of resident's condition and of auto stop orders on specific medications as established by our policies and procedures.

23. Review medication cards for completeness of information, accuracy in the transcription of physician orders, and adherence to stop order policies.

24. Notify the attending physician and Supervisor/Department Director when resident is discharged without approval. Assure that appropriate documentation is made in accordance with established policies and procedures.

25. Report all discrepancies of physician's orders, diet, charting, etc., to the RN Supervisor.

COOPERATION

1. Develop and maintain a good working rapport with interdepartmental personnel as well as other departments within the facility to assure that the department services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

2. Review and evaluate your assigned personnel and make recommendations to the Department Director/Supervisor.

3. Coordinate Nursing Service with other departments.

4. Worth with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommendation changes as directed by the Department Director/Supervisor.

5. Assist in setting standards for department personnel.

6. Gives/receives nursing report upon reporting in and ending shift duty hours.

7. Assist in orientation of newly assigned personnel as well as supervise and instruct other nursing personnel.

8. Orient new residents/family members as necessary.

9. Assure that nursing personnel are providing adequate nursing care in accordance with established nursing service procedures.

10. Provide leadership to nursing personnel assigned to your unit.

SAFETY/HOUSEKEEPING

1. Assure that department personnel, residents, visitors, etc., follow established policies and procedures to include safety rules and regulations at all times.

2. Assure that a stock level of medication, medical supplies, equipment, etc., are maintained at adequate levels at all times. Requisitions equipment and supply needs are required.

3. Evaluate emergencies and determine emergency measures to be used, including the use of chemical or mechanical restraints. Notify the RN Supervisor and record and follow orders.

4. Assure that the unit area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services.

5. May perform minor housekeeping duties around the nursing unit.

6. Report all discrepancies of physician's orders, diet, charting, etc., to the RN Supervisor.

ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY

1. Report on and off duty at break times and meal times.

2. Report for duty on all scheduled days.

3. Must arrive on time.

SUPERVISION

1. Supervising and assisting ancillary personnel.

2. Counsels and sets goals for assigned staff in providing quality resident care.

3. Accountable for delivery of care and outcomes through training ans supervision of assigned staff in conjunction with interdisciplinary team and RN Supervisor.

4. Participates in the interviewing and hiring of Nursing Assistants.

5. Exercises independent judgment in evaluating the performance of Nursing Assistants.

6. Exercises independent discretion in disciplining or participating in discipline of Nursing Assistants including the effective recommendation of suspensions and terminations.

7. Ensure proper staffing by assisting with calling in replacements for Nursing Assistants not reporting to work and transferring and recommending reassigning Nursing Assistants for proper coverage. Revise work schedules of Nursing Assistants to insure quality of care as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Works in well-lighted/ventilated work areas, as well as throughout the nursing service areas.

2. Sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours.

3. Subject to frequent interruptions.

4. Involved with residents, family members, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions/circumstances.

5. Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.

6. Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.

7. Willingness to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily when necessary.

8. Attend and participate in continuing educational programs.

9. Subject to falls, burns from equipment, infectious diseases, substances, odors, etc., throughout the work day.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education:

Must have a minimum of a graduate, approved LPN program.

2. Experience:

a) Must have, as a minimum, training in a hospital, skilled nursing care facility, or other related medical facility.

b) Training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.

3. Specific Requirements:

a) Must possess a valid and current license in this state.

b) Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language.

c) Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstance warrants such action.

d) Possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and government.

e) Be a minimum of 19 years of age.

f) Knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures.

g) Possess leadership ability and the willing ness to work harmoniously with and supervise professional and non-professional personnel.

h) Ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, and policies.

i) Maintaining the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., of the nursing service department.

j) Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.

k) Possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

4. Physical Requirements:

a) Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.

b) Must be able to speak the English language in an understandable manner.

c) Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

d) Must possess sight/hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

e) Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.

f) Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

g) Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.

h) May be required to lift, transfer/move, residents, medical equipment supplies, etc.

---