LPN

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To provide nursing care to individuals in the group home setting.

CRITICAL ELEMENTS:

1) Ensure Safety of Others: The nurse will implement doctor’s orders/or make sure staff are trained to implement doctor’s orders. They will train staff to administer non-oral medications to residents to ensure safe administration techniques are being utilized. Responsibilities in this area include:

a) Administer non-oral medications, including suppositories, topical ointments, eye drops, ear drops, nasal sprays etc.

b) Follow through with doctor recommendations.

c) Train staff to ensure consistency in following doctor’s recommendations.

d) Administer insulin as needed when staffs that are trained through WellSpan Diabetes Center are not available.

2) Ensure Client Needs Are Met: All services provided in the residential setting are individualized based on the needs of consumers. Consumer needs vary, and therefore, services provided are dependent on each individual’s needs. The nurse is responsible for providing medical attention to consumers on an as needed basis. Responsibilities in this area include:

a) Assess residents in the program with medical needs and ensure that prompt medical attention is provided to them.

b) Consult with medical professionals in order to assess medical needs.

c) Teach residents to express their medical needs.

d) Coordinate and follow up on blood test for the individuals.

e) Work with staff to ensure that doctor appointments are scheduled.

f) Monitor blood pressure, pulse, height, weight for each individual on a monthly basis.

3) Ensure Proper and Thorough Communication Occurs- The nurse will review and report medical information to the Residential Program Supervisor (RPS) and/or Program Coordinator (PC) via personal contact, nursing notes, beeper system, progress notes and incident reports. The nurse will also communicate with the individuals, families and other staff at the home to ensure information is transferred regarding medical issues. The nurse will contact individuals’ doctors as necessary for medical consultations and follow up on appointments. Responsibilities in the area include:

a) Interact positively and professionally with individuals.

b) Interact positively with family members.

c) Interact positively and professionally with personnel from other agencies and/or medical offices.

d) Keep supervisors informed of significant information.

e) Complete incident reports when necessary and submit them within time requirements.

f) Complete time sheets accurately and submit them to Coordinator of ID Services in a timely fashion.

g) Report medication errors to HCSIS point person.

h) Request permission to miss work for vacation or illness from Coordinator of ID Services.

i) File medical documents in individual’s files.

j) Keep ongoing record of due dates for licensing requirements (i.e. physical, dental, quarterly medication review, vision, GYN, mammogram, etc.)

4) Ensure Licensing Requirements are Met: The nurse must be familiar with all applicable regulations and must comply with those regulations. The nurse is responsible to report/correct any areas where corrections are needed. Responsibilities in the area include:

a) Ensure psychotropic medication reviews are completed on a quarterly basis.

b) Review psychotropic medication reviews for consistency.

c) Review monthly medical appointments for accuracy in documentation of all appointments and follow up visits.

d) Review monthly medication reviews and MAR’s for accuracy in documentation of medications for appropriate documentation of medication errors and for all necessary signatures.

e) Completing and updating medical histories as necessary for individual residents.

f) Coordinate annual physical and dental appointments with RPS at each home.

g) Maintain a current Pennsylvania License as an LPN.

5) Ensure All Policies, Procedures, Goals, Expectations, and Philosophies of the Agency are Utilized: The nurse must be familiar with Bell’s Policy and Procedures Manual as well as the philosophical beliefs of the Agency. The nurse will provide services consistent with policies and procedures of the Agency. In the ID Department philosophies utilized include Psycho- Social Model of Rehabilitation, Behavioral Psychology, Person Centered Planning, Positive Approaches, Normalization and Everyday Lives Philosophies. Responsibilities in this area include:

a) Refrain from wearing a uniform.

b) Encourage independence in individuals regarding their medications.

c) Involve individuals in researching medical issues.

6) Be Innovative and Creative to Improve Services: The nurse should make suggestions to the Coordinator of ID Residential Services about ways to improve services provided by Bell. The nurse should continue to improve/maintain skills by attending and participating in scheduled trainings and team meetings.

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS:

1) Work at houses as scheduled by management.

2) Accept changes in schedule to meet individual’s needs.

3) Report to work on time.

4) Follow through on assigned tasks.

5) Show initiative in looking for tasks.

6) Support individuals in exercising their rights.

7) Support individual’s choices and preferences.

8) Interact as part of the ID Service Team.

9) To attend 24 (twenty-four) hours of training each year.

10) Attend York County MH/ID Medication Task Force Committee meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

Age 21 (twenty-one), High School Degree or equivalent, LPN Pennsylvania License and two (2) years professional experience. Have a Pennsylvania Driver’s License, insurable driving record, Mantoux (TB), physical, Act 33 Clearance and Pennsylvania State Police Background Check. E.O.E.