LPN,Before And After Care- NIGHTS

Position Title: LPN, Before And After Care

Department: Surgery > Before And After Care

Reports to: Director of Nursing

EEO Code: Technicians

SOC Code: 29-2061  Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Last Revision Date: February 19, 2025

Position Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurses provides direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. The LPN is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Demonstrates ability, under direct supervision of an RN, to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy.

• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.

• Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age.

• Demonstrates knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and patient’s clinical condition.

• Follows the five medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.

• Demonstrates ability to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.

• Formulates a teaching plan based on identified patient learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching as appropriate.

• Demonstrates an ability to assist physicians with procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills under the direction of an RN.

• Demonstrates ability to perform treatments and provide services to level of licensure.

• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.

• Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.

• Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the skills necessary to provide appropriate care to the patient. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s specific needs.

• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.

• Medical and surgical asepsis is carried out during treatments and special procedures.

• Coordinates and supervises patient care under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.

• Consults other departments, as appropriate, to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.

• Communicates appropriately and clearly to co-workers and physicians.

• Meets current documentation standards and policies.

• Response to the patient is appropriate in an emergency or physically stressful situation.

• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.

• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.

• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.

• Complete other duties as assigned

Required Skills And Certifications

• Current LPN licensure in the State of Louisiana.

• Current BLS Certification.

• Current ACLS Certification.

• Current PALS Certification.

Education And Experience

• Graduate of an accredited LPN program.

• At least 1-year experience as an LPN.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Standing/Walking: Standing and walking is required for the majority of time spent in the clinical area (4-8 hours). Standing in one position is required while performing certain aspects of patient care. Walking occurs on vinyl, tile, linoleum, or carpeted floors.

• Sitting: Sit while charting or entering data into a computer. One may also sit while receiving/giving verbal reports at the start/end of one's shift. It is also possible that sitting may occur during breaks and meal periods. Total sitting is less than two hours for each eight-hour shift, depending on clinical assignment.

• Lifting: Regular lifting of medical supplies, medications, patient supplies, and patient charts, all weighing up to ten pounds is required. Also lifting CPR equipment and other medical equipment weighing up to 45 pounds is required. One is required to assist in lifting and transferring patients of varying weights and is expected to request assistance when lifting, ambulating, and repositioning patients. One must be able to support at least 75 pounds to reposition, transfer, and ambulate patients safely.

• Carrying: Frequent carrying of medical supplies and other items weighing up to 45 pounds is required, along with occasional carrying of certain medical equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Pushing/Pulling: Pushing/pulling 70-100 pounds is required when administering patient therapy and care, as well as when pushing equipment such as oxygen tanks and monitors, and when transporting patients in wheelchairs, beds, or gurneys. Pushing is required at 3.5 pounds of pressure when administering CPR. Full manual dexterity of both upper extremities is required.

• Climbing: No significant climbing is required; one may be required to climb a step stool.

• Bending: Bending is required when administering patient care. One must be able to bend to touch the floor to remove environmental hazards.

• Reaching: Reaching above one's head is required when performing aspects of care such as hanging and adjusting IV bags.

• Squatting/Kneeling: Squatting or kneeling is required when operating medical equipment and performing aspects of patient care, such as CPR.

• Twisting: Twisting at the waist is required when bathing patients and performing other procedures.

• Speaking: Must be able to clearly speak English to communicate, assess, and educate patients and families. One must also be able to communicate verbally with physicians and other professionals involved in patient care.

• Hearing: One must have normal hearing (aids permitted) in order to perform physical assessments, including listening with a stethoscope for bowel, heart, and lung sounds. One must also be able to hear to detect subtle, yet critical information regarding patient conditions including alarms, and to communicate with physicians and other professionals involved in patient care.

• Visual Acuity: Vision is required within normal limits (glasses or contacts permitted) for monitoring equipment, reading medical data, preparing and administering medications and injections, and performing physical assessments of patients including subtle changes in color.

• Depth Perception: Required for fine tasks such as administering injections, sterile catheter insertions (urinary, IV).

• Fine Motor Skills: One must have fine motor skills of all fingers and be able to grasp and control medical equipment, and to perform precise procedures such as sterile dressing changes. Ability to grasp objects such as a pen to prepare handwritten reports is also required.

• Tactile Sensation: Must be able to assess patients through palpation with fingers and hands and must be able to distinguish between warm/cold and be able to feel vibrations.

• Smell: One must have a normal sense of smell to detect odors indicating unsafe conditions or changing patient status.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

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The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.