LVN - LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

Description

POSITION SUMMARY: 
The LVN implements the established plan of care for each assigned group of resident’s.  Responsibilities include total care for chronically ill and technologically dependent residents, administration of medications, performance of treatments, provision of resident/family education as directed, and maintenance of a record of the care provided.  Under the direct supervision of the RN, assists with the planning, coordination, and provision of individualized resident care in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the facility. 
 
RESPONSIBLE TO: 
This position is responsible to the Director of Nursing 
 
FLSA STATUS:      Non-exempt 
 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Perform assigned resident care duties in a manner that provides for the physical, psycho-social, and spiritual needs of the chronically ill and technologically dependent resident, incorporating cultural and ethnic factors 
• Complete initial and ongoing assessments by gathering data in a timely manner, incorporating functional/development age factors into the assessment process 
• Correctly differentiates between normal and abnormal clinical findings and intervenes in accordance with clinical standards of practice and per physician orders 
• Work collaboratively with the resident/family and interdisciplinary team members to develop an individualized plan of care for each resident 
• Demonstrate sound clinical judgment in the implementation, and evaluation of the nursing aspects of interdisciplinary resident care plan of care 
• Proficiently and accurately monitor and report resident condition changes to the Registered Nurse, attending physician, family, interdisciplinary team members, and Director of Nursing or ADON 
• Follow through on resident care services needed to meet the individualized needs of each resident 
• Administer medications in a proficient manner, including pain management 
• If IV certified, proficiently provide IV care needs within the scope of practice for a LVN and per facility policy 
• Provide treatment administration in a proficient manner per direction from the physician, which includes but is not limited to wound packing, irrigation, indwelling catheter care, etc. 
• Proficiently provide and manage the care of technologically dependent residents, including but not limited to: 
  • Ventilator dependency 
  • Ostomies such as, but not limited to, tracheostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, gastrostomy, etc. 
  • Enteral feeding tubes 
  • Tracheostomy care 
  • Suctioning 
• Participate in the identification of resident/family educational needs and provide individualized teaching which considers the functional/developmental age and needs of the resident.  Monitor and document the effectiveness of the education provided 
• Demonstrate knowledge of age specific care, including but not limited to identifying safety measures, physiological normal values/reading; assessing skin integrity, behavior, motor skills and/or activities that place the residents at risk as well as communicates effectively in a clear, concise, and understandable manner 
• Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate monitoring of signs/symptoms of abuse and/or neglect of residents.  Report and document suspected abuse/neglect in accordance with facility policy and regulatory guidelines 

JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and respect for, the rights, dignity and individuality of each resident in all interactions 
• Appreciates the importance of maintaining confidentiality of resident and facility information 
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times in the care and use of resident and facility property 
• Proficiently provides care in emergency situations and follows established emergency procedures and practices 
• Maintain knowledge of, and implement resident care activities to promote, maintain, and/or restore health for assigned residents 
• Assure that the rights of residents are respected and maintained by allowing for privacy and dignity in the provision of care 
• Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills with residents, families, physicians, additional healthcare providers, and co-workers 
• Timely, accurately, and thoroughly prepare documentation in a manner that conforms to prescribed style and format, and to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business facility 
• Other duties as assigned 

PHYSICAL CAPACITIES:   (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices) 

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. 
• Continuous bending, squatting, twisting and reaching. 
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met. 
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which includes an annual TB screening and physical examination.  
• Must be able to stand for and walk for extended periods of time.  
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.   
• Requires infrequent lifting of weight up to 100 pounds with assistance.   
• Frequent pushing and pulling of carts and transporting residents.   
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position. 

 
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:      
Inside work, normal temperatures, some noise, occasional fumes/odors, chemical exposure and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens. 
 
This job cannot be performed without exposure to the stresses associated with an intimate, 24 hour skilled care environment that delivers care and services primarily to disabled and cognitively impaired residents in an aging population.  Examples of these stresses include, but are not limited to: emergency health or safety response, weekend and holiday duty, unusual or impaired behavior by residents, family reactions to having a loved one in a nursing home, death and dying, oversight of state surveyors, ombudsmen and federal officials, presence of consultants and attorneys, and variable involvement of medical staff. 

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: 
Education:       
    LVN graduate from an accredited School of Nursing  
License:           

• Current, valid LVN licensure to practice in the state 
• Current BCLS certification 

Work Experience:     

• Minimum 6 months prior LVN experience in the past 2 years in a general acute care hospital 
• Or acquired equivalent competency appropriate to the type of sub-acute residents the facility  provides care to 

Language Skills: 

• Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical information, and to be easily understood through verbal communication in the English language.   

Mathematical Skills: 

• Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 
• Ability to perform these operations using units of weight measurement, and volume. 

Communication Skills: 

• Must have exceptional communication and customer service skills, and be empathetic.   
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, responsible parties, staff and outside resources and agencies.