LPN - Acute New Sign on Bonus

JOB TITLE:  LPN

REPORTS TO:  Director of Nursing

JOB SUMMARY:   Assists with the care of patients; oversees functions and activities;

interprets and follows policies, procedures, standards, and regulations as

appropriate.  May provide direct and indirect care activities under supervision and as

assigned Registered Nurse.

This position is for night shift. 

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:      LPN

Education:        Graduate of an acceptable school of nursing

Req. Cert/         Current LPN license with Kansas State Board of Nursing. Certification  in CPR required; NRP required for Acute care.     Certifications may be earned within 12 months of employment.

Typical Working Conditions:

• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases
• Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances
• May be exposed to patient elements and unpleasant situations (accidents, injuries, and illness)
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations
• Handles emergency or crisis situations
• Occasionally subjected to irregular hours
• Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and surgeries and patient groups
• May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases
• Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids, and wastes
• Exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment
• This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary

Primary Responsibilities:

• Promotes the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Recording a patient’s medical history accurately
• Taking and recording measurements of blood pressure, temperature, heart rate etc.
• Observing patients under treatment to identify progress, side-effects of medications etc.
• Monitor patients’ condition including fluid intake and output and record in patient charts
• Assist patients in daily necessary activities such as eating, bathing etc.
• Administer injections, prescribed medications, enemas etc., clean and dress wounds and assist with other basic medical care tasks
• May administer IV medications if IV certified, in accordance with IV Therapy policy & KSBN practice act
• Collect samples for lab testing as assigned
• Provide emotional and psychological support when needed
• Communicates with patients, visitors, families, physicians and other departments.
• Communicate changes, responses and findings with members of the healthcare team.
• Assists with providing an individualized plan of care through nursing actions to meet those goals and the physical, psychological, social and rehabilitative needs of the patient, including discharge planning.
• Reports pertinent observations and reactions regarding patients to the appropriate person (i.e. physician, charge nurse and/or nursing director, etc) and records those observations accurately and concisely.
• Assists team members in giving care to patients, or administers direct care as assigned
• Administers medication and performs treatments to assigned patients as per policy/procedure and documents time, type, amount, etc. on patients’ chart.
• Oversees CNAs and evaluates nursing care provided to patients, working in conjunction with RNs.
• Assists physicians and mid levels with special tests and procedures such as thoracentesis, lumbar puncture, etc.
• Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner. Assists in assuring an adequate inventory of supplies are maintained and that equipment is functioning properly.
• Ability to operate computer system for tasks including but not limited to admit, discharge, order entry, medication administration and document retrieval.
• Participates in orientation of new personnel and mentoring of students.
• Establishes and maintains communication and utilizes teaching opportunities with patients and their significant others.
• Assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments.
• Participates in the maintaining a clean and safe environment. Follows standard precautions.  Is aware of and follows airborne isolation and other safety plans as indicated.
• Participates actively in committees for improvement of nursing care. Supports the compliance program and participates in ongoing monitoring of activities with respect to compliance related issues (patient charges, appropriate level of care, etc).
• Maintains confidentiality and respects patient privacy.
• Observes, evaluates and documents care given as well as the patient response to such treatment.
• Attends staff meetings, in-services and continuing education as appropriate. Attends mandatory inservice and continuing education.
• Activates fire or disaster plans as necessary.
• Makes referrals to social services as needed.
• Assures continuity of nursing care through shift report, documentation and nursing care plans.
• Makes frequent rounds on patients to assess changes in condition.
• Informs charge nurse or immediate supervisor of needed supplies and equipment or malfunctioning equipment. Immediately removes malfunctioning equipment from use.
• Maintains a clean, attractive and comfortable environment for patients with special consideration to cleanliness of rooms.
• Has ability to work with a variety of patients, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or sociological background or disability.
• May be assigned as staffing requires to all areas of care including Medical/Surgical, Skilled Care, Intermediate Swing Bed, Outpatient, Emergency/Trauma. May assist RNs in MBU and OB.
• Cooperates with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee relations, interdepartmental objectives, and infection control policies.
• Performs within the limits of the State Nurse Practice Act / ANA Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics and hospital policies/guidelines and procedures.
• This list may not include all of the duties assigned.

PATIENT AGE GROUPS SERVED: Neonate, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric