Provides professional nursing care within the Emergency Department; coordinates care planning with other disciplines. Provides care that meets the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs of patients, as well as factors influencing patient flow through the system. Communicates with ED physicians regarding changes in patient’s status, symptomatology and results of diagnostic studies. Responds quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.

Job Relationships:

• Responsible to ER nurse manager.
• Workers supervised: All non-licensed personnel assigned to the emergency room.
• Interrelationships: The emergency room patients and their families, offering emotional support

Responsibilities and Authorities:

The emergency room LPN is to maintain the quality of patient care. The LPN may obtain, accept, record, and care out verbal orders as well as written orders from supervising physician within the scope of Licensed Practical Nursing practices. The must promote and participate in education and counseling of patients based on health needs identified by supervising physician. The LPN must demonstrate responsible behavior as a health care professional working under supervision of physician and registered nurse. The LPN must also demonstrate knowledge of emergency plans, infection control policies and safety. The LPN must also meet and address the needs appropriate to the age of the patient served in the assigned area.

• The following activities are unique to this position.
  • Maintaining good working relationships with nursing staff supervised and with medical staff.
  • Assists in supervising ED Techs.
  • Orientates new emergency room personnel LPNs.
  • For ongoing inservice education of nursing personnel assigned to ER.
  • Assists in the coordination of interdepartmental services in providing for the patients emergency needs.
  • Constant and instant accessibility to patients to insure maximum care and to ascertain needs for additional and modified emergency needs.
  • Exercise of nursing knowledge and skill for correct operation of the cardiac monitor and understanding of electrocardiographic pattern it displays. Integrates use of nursing skills necessary in observation and triage procedures for emergency care of patients.
  • Utilizes skills in recognizing cardiac arrest and the institution of advanced CRP, other resuscitative measures, including drugs and defibrillation.
  • Exercises leadership in ability to alleviate a patient’s psychological distress from being admitted to the emergency room.
  • Notify physician of patient’s admission to the emergency room, having collected data regarding problem, history of illness, and all other pertinent information obtained by RN.
  • Assist in providing instruction for patients and their families who are dismissed from the emergency room, in regard to the care to be continued at home as provided by the ER physician.
  • Provide information regarding continuation of care of patient being transferred.
  • Insures availability of supplies and their proper maintenance.
  • Responsible for welfare of patients assigned to students.
  • Performs other related duties.

Qualifications:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited school of nursing, current registration with the state board of nurse examiners. Advanced preparation: Current CPR required, ACLS & PALS required within 6 months of employment, and ENPC is encouraged.
• Job knowledge: Knowledge and skills for correct operation and interpretation of cardiac monitoring equipment. Comprehensive knowledge of general nursing theory and practice. Familiarity of policies and procedures regarding emergency room nursing and general hospital policy.