LPN

Overview:

Under the direction of a registered nurse or team leader, provides general nursing care to patients

Attends to the general health care and comfort of the patient; observes and records treatment and patient progress and reports to the supervisor patient’s condition or reaction

Administers prescribed medications

Responsibilities:

• Vital sign monitoring (B/P, Temperatures (all), Pulse, Resp.).

• Bed bath (complete and partial).

• Sitz bath.

• Bed making (unoccupied, occupied and surgery).

• Oral hygiene care (conscious and unconscious patients).

• Care of patients teeth.

• Care of patient’s hair, shaving, fingernail care, foot care.

• Back rubs.

• Keeps unit clean and neat.

• Answers lights promptly and with courtesy.

• Admits and discharges patient.

• Identifies patient properly.

• Assists with lifting correctly.

• Proper use of wheelchair and transfer of patient to w/c.

• Transfer of patient from bed to stretcher and transport.

• Range of motion exercises and turning patient and proper body alignment in bed.

• Measuring height.

• Weighing patient with bed scales and regular scales.

• Passing and picking up trays.

• Documentation of intake (oral, supplements, snacks & meals).

• Gives and removes bedpans and urinals.

• Measures outputs (urine, Levine’s, drainage tubes, stool).

• Admits patient with orientation to call light, T.V. control, telephone, bill of rights and completes clothing list.

• Gives enemas.

• Collects specimens (urine, stool and sputum).

• Post mortem care.

• Use of mechanical patient lift.

• Uses the lines of authority appropriately.

• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patient’s growth and developmental needs.

• Transports patients to other areas.

• Performs pulse oximetry.

• Applies Cardiac monitor.

• Does ACCU Blood Glucose checks.

• Demonstrates appropriate care in regard to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.

• Demonstrates knowledge of assessment and reassessment.

• Demonstrates the ability to recognize basic and life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and follow through with appropriate actions.

• Assist with patient/family education.

• Demonstrated proficiency in medication administration including IV piggyback, IV pushes, and calculations of dosages.

• Demonstrates proficiency in administration of blood and blood components.

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse.

• Demonstrates the ability to apply restraints and follows restraint policy.

• Demonstrates the ability of sterile technique with dressing changes.

• Answers patient and family’s questions and issues promptly and with courtesy. Demonstrates good communication skills with patient and families.

• Maintains an awareness of patient’s condition and nursing care needs. Promotes care of the total patient with awareness of psychological, social, cultural, religious and family needs.

• Assists and gives nursing care to group of assigned patients.

• Serves as team leader when assigned.

• Maintains awareness for safety of patient.

• Demonstrates appropriate delegation of tasks and duties through assignment of duties to non-professional personnel according to patient’s needs.

• Demonstrates ability to communicate with physicians and other hospital department personnel.

• Orientates new employees to job requirements, hospital policies, unit personnel, physical unit, unit routines and equipment.

• Relates to each shift concerning appropriate care to all unit patients and uses report time to transfer knowledge of changes in patient status and summary of each patient’s needs.

• Initiates and supports cost containment.

• Checks inventory of supplies and equipment for own shift and restocks for other shifts.

• Observes patient’s condition and reports abnormal reactions and changes in patient condition to RN.

• Refers patient complaints to RN.

• Responds and performs appropriately and effectively in emergency situations.

• Demonstrates knowledge of how to use equipment pertaining to patient care. How to maintain and clean equipment.

• Demonstrates effective communication methods and skills using the lines of authority appropriately.

• CPR certification and Heimlich maneuver.

• Develops and maintains an effective relationship with nursing and medical staff, and other hospital departments.

• Able to answer telephone courteously and professionally.

• Completes assignment in a timely manner.

• Dresses appropriately and meets hygiene standards.

• Demonstrates professional medical care to the sick and disabled without regard to race, sex, age, creed, religion or inability to pay.

• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patient’s growth and developmental needs.

• Follows through on tests or procedures left from a previous shift and reports on any incomplete assignments to assure continuity of care.

• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care of nutritional needs.

• Demonstrates appropriate care in regard to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.

• Demonstrates knowledge of psycho social and developmental needs for ages caring for.

Qualifications:

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

Must have a copy of a diploma or offical transcript of the highest level of education

Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Arkansas

BLS certification required

ACLS, PALS certification encouraged

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must be able to communicate with physicians, all levels of hospital personnel, patients, visitors and families.

Pass pharmacology test given by NARMC with a score of 80% or above.

Post-orientation, demonstrate knowledge as to patient care, medications, ability to recognize emergency situations then take appropriate actions.

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English