Licensed Practical Nurse Job Description

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for assisting the registered nurses in caring for patients

Assists in identifying a wide range of problems and in determining and prioritizing the client's care.

Responsible for supervising and assessing the performance of other private duty nurses (LPN every 30 days) and nursing assistants (CNA every 14 days).
Assists in addressing existing and potential client/family problems.
Assists in interpreting data and assures that findings are communicated to the physician in a timely manner and documented appropriately.

Ensure the family and clients have been involved in the development of the plan of care.

Ensures the family input was considered in the development of the nursing care plan.
Ensures that services needed to facilitate care of the client is being utilized.
Ensures that optimal standards of nursing care are being met consistently and appropriately.
Ensures that optimal nursing care reflects awareness of legal responsibilities and consequences of nursing actions.
Ensures that proper referrals to other professionals are utilized (i.e.) (physical therapist, occupational therapists, etc.).

Addresses all family/client complaints verbally and in writing after carrying out a thorough investigation.
Makes sure that client/family needs are responded to appropriately.
Performs care during client assignments in the home.
Visits should include, but are not limited to:
- Give families a chance to voice complaints and respond appropriately to the resolution of the complaint.
- Actively listens to clients and families.
- Assesses nursing/client interaction and/or client/family interaction.
- Assesses the environment for safety and cleanliness and makes recommendations.
- Assesses infection control practices including proper hand washing.
- Review the nursing care plan for accuracy, completeness, and makes sure it is updated properly.
- Makes sure that documentation is done accurately and appropriately in the progress notes.
- Checks to make sure medications are signed off; treatments are done, documented and signed off in the records.
- Makes sure physician's orders are updated as required and are transcribed properly.
- Insures that equipment is being properly maintained and cleaned to prevent the spread of infection.
- Ensures that necessary supplies are available.
- Makes sure that emergency protocols are in place.
- Reviews the communication book for relevant information.
- Ensures that family knows the agency is available and can be contacted at any time.
- Physically assesses the client and his/her well-being.

Provide one-on-one skilled nursing care and treatment to patients in their homes.
Use a comprehensive and patient-specific care plan with innovative solutions.
Spend quality time with the patient in their home to promote their health and independence.
Collaborate with physicians, patients and their families, nurses, therapists, social workers, and other patient care team members to implement and follow a patient-specific care and treatment plan.
Cooperatively utilize varied solutions to educate and promote the health and independence of the patient.
Assess, monitor, document, and report the patient’s health and condition progress using required documents such as clinical progress notes and clinician-preferred technology within established timelines.
Monitor patients’ vitals and record them in their medical files/records.

Maintain the cleanliness and comfort of each patient, including bathing, feeding, and dressing.
Assist nursing and medical staff with basic medical tasks, such as administering medication.
Confidentially update patient records.
Evaluate the patient’s well-being, reporting any needs to nursing/ medical staff.
Explain treatments and procedures to patients and families
Change dressings and bandages, ensuring patients are healing properly.

Assists in evaluating clients responses to the plan of care.
Ensures that the plan of care is revised as needed in response to changing needs.
Ensures that on-going communication between nurses and physicians exists.

Qualifications

Current unrestricted State LPN license
Current malpractice insurance
Current CPR Certification
At least 1 year clinical experience (includes pediatric direct patient within the past 2 years)
A formal nursing education a college, university, or hospital that presents a certificate in the form of a bachelors degree, associates degree, or other.
Criminal background check
Three references: two professional, one character
Health Clearance - Annual physical exam, TB (PPD or chest x-ray), and Hep B clearance