Employment Opportunities

POSITION DESCRIPTION – LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE

 

 

REPORTS TO:  Director of Nursing

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY:  The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible providing clinical nursing services to home care clients.    

 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

1. Performs focused nursing assessment of clients to determine appropriate interventions to maintain or improve the client’s health status.

2. Provides interventions for clients with episodes of potentially life-threatening instability.

3. Provides nursing care to clients who are ventilator-dependent.

4. Provides nursing visits and direct care to clients in their homes as directed by the RN

5. Sets up medications for clients according to the medication management program, as indicated

6. Monitors staff as delegated by the RN to assure that they are following the care plan and that they are performing the tasks appropriately:

• Follows up with teaching protocols as established by the RN

• Answers questions for staff, as appropriate

• Refers problems to the RN

1. Coordinates medical appointments for clients, including follow-up with any new orders or changes after visit with direction from RN as needed

2. Accepts and implements physician orders with direction from RN as needed

3. Responds to phone calls from other providers related to clients with RN direction as needed

4. Documents, as indicated, in the clinical record

5. Communicates with families, responsible parties, case managers and other health care providers regarding the clients with direction from the RN as needed

6. Is aware of and uses good safety practices, including but not limited to:

   1. Body mechanics

   2. Falls prevention

   3. Reporting of defective equipment or hazards

   4. Wiping spills or wet floors immediately

   5. Using Standard Precautions and appropriate infection control measures

   6. Knowledge of emergency procedures

   7. Reporting incidents/accidents to the Director of Nursing or Administrator on the day of occurrence

7. Participates in care conferences with other members of the health care team

8. Maintains absolute confidentiality of all information pertaining to clients, families, and employees

9. Promotes a safe and comfortable environment for the client and family

10. Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills

 

 

1. Recognizes and manages own stresses, which may affect work performance

2. Participates in team meetings

3. Participates in in-service educational programs, as required by state regulations

4. Performs additional duties as assigned by the Director of Nursing or Administrator

5. Adheres to all agency policies

 

 

EXPERIENCE/JOB SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

 

• High School Graduate

• Graduate of practical nursing program and licensed as a practical nurse in the State of Minnesota

• Experience in home care or assisted living preferred

• Must be able to read, write, comprehend and carry out directions and instructions

• Able to function independently

• Good health status and emotional stability

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to service excellence

 

 

WORKING CONDITION REQUIREMENTS

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  (Occasionally means 1-2 hours of an 8 hour workday, frequently means 2.5 to 5.5 hours of an 8 hour workday and continually means 6 to 8 hours of an 8 hour workday)

 

 

          Sit                                                                  Frequently

          Stand                                                            Frequently

          Walk                                                             Frequently

          Bend/Stoop                                               Occasionally

          Squat                                                           Occasionally

          Crawl                                                           Occasionally

          Reach above shoulder                             Frequently

          Reach below shoulder level                   Frequently

          Lift, Carry, Push, Pull

                  Maximum 50 lbs.                               Frequently

                  Over 50 lbs.                                        Occasionally

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

 

          Involves being:

                    Inside                                                 Continually

                    Outside                                             Occasionally

 

          Exposed to temperatures of:

                    32 degrees F and less                    Occasionally

                    100 degrees F and more               Occasionally

                    Wet and humid conditions           Occasionally

                    Noise, vibration                               Occasionally

 

HAZARDS/EXPOSURE:

 

       Infectious wastes                                     Continually

          Toxic chemicals                                       Occasionally

          Needles/Body fluids                              Continually

          Radiation                                                   Never

          Chemotherapeutics                                Never

          Mechanical Hazards-Driving                 Frequently