JOB SUMMARY: The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse is responsible for providing direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. This position is responsible for following the plan of care, providing treatments, and working collaboratively with the members of the team to help meet positive patient care outcomes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide direct patient care as defined in State Nurse Practice Act, including specialized duties related to end of life care
• Implement current nursing practice following a comprehensive assessment and the plan of care
• Provide accurate and timely documentation of patient services to reflect the plan of care
• Assess and provide patient and family/caregiver education and information pertinent to diagnosis and self-plan of care
• Participate in coordination of hospice services, appropriately reporting the identified needs to the interdisciplinary group; examples include hospice aide, OT, PT, SW, ST, Dietician or Clinical Supervisor
• Use and prepare equipment and supplies effectively, adhering to aseptic technique
• Provide appropriate pain/symptom management
• Evaluate patients response to treatments/medications
• Participate in personal, professional growth and development
• Participate in organization's quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities
• Perform other duties as assigned by the registered nurse

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited practical nurse or vocational nursing program
• Must have one (1) year nursing experience, community health/hospice or medical/surgical experience
• Must currently be licensed as an LPN/LVN in the State

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must comply with accepted professional standards and practice
• Must demonstrate good verbal and written communication, and organization skills
• Must understand the philosophy of hospice concept and understand needs of the terminally ill

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be flexible in work hours
• Must demonstrate a willingness to maintain comprehensive working knowledge regarding information systems and applicable software programs

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Must comply with company policies, procedures and processes in addition to Hospice and Homecare rules and regulations
• Must be dependable and flexible in work schedule
• Must comply with harassment and discrimination policies
• Must foster good working relationships
• Must be a licensed driver with licensed automobile that is insured in accordance with organization/state requirements and is in good working order
• Must be willing to submit to a criminal background check as well as a drug/alcohol screening upon hire and periodically thereafter

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

• Must be able to see color changes on a patient's skin; can listen to heart and lung sounds through a stethoscope; and feel skin temperature, as well as palpating pulses
• Must demonstrate vital sensory abilities including near vision, far vision, perceptual speed, visual color discrimination, depth perception and hearing sensitivity
• Must have finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness, and manual dexterity, must be able to manipulate equipment in a safe and effective way, and use tools that require motor functioning, such as blood pressure monitors and hemostats
• Must be able to communicate with patients, families and other health care workers
• Speech clarity, speech recognition and written expression are vital abilities for performing the job
• Must be able to lift heavy items on a frequent basis
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance and must be able to spend a prolonged amount of time standing, walking, bending and stretching
• Must possess the ability to deal with stressful situations as well as grieving families
• Must be able to be compassionate without becoming personally involved with the patients and their families