LPN- Assisted Living Day Shift

SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of the Assisted Living (AL) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is providing direct nursing care to the residents, and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by nursing assistants. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be required by the Wellness Director to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is always maintained. He/she must be adaptable to the needs of the individual and family during health and illness and has the ability to prioritize. The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates daily resident care and is responsible for the direction of personnel assigned to him/her.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct the day-to-day functions of the nursing assistants. Meet with your assigned nursing staff, as well as support personnel, in planning the shift's services, programs and activities. Make written & oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of the shift as required.
• Admit, transfer and discharge residents as required. Provide leadership to nursing personnel assigned to your unit/shift.
• Completes assessments on residents as required, admission, self-medication administration, falls, skin, cognition, harmful behaviors, elopements, etc. Utilize the information ascertained from assessments to provide appropriate care to residents. Makes appropriate situational decisions based off the assessments. Communicates and consults with physicians, supervisors, families, and other departments as needed to provide continuity of care. Makes referrals to outside sources as appropriate, i.e., home health, hospice, etc.
• Complete & file required recordkeeping forms/charts upon the resident's admission, transfer and/or discharge. Receive & process orders from physicians & record in the MAR and residents' chart. Chart nurse's notes in an informative & descriptive manner that reflects the care provided to the resident, as well as the resident's response to the care objectively. Fill out and complete accident/incident reports & submit them to the Wellness Director as required. Perform routine charting duties as required & in accordance with established charting & documentation policies & procedures.
• Prepare & administer medications as ordered by the physician.
• Develop & maintain a good working rapport with inter-departmental personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to ensure that nursing services and activities can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents. Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift. Receive/give the nursing report upon reporting in and ending shift duty hours. Keep physicians and families abreast of all occurrences, changes of condition, concerns, etc.
• Monitor your assigned personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information. Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident's room.
• Provide for the safety and security of residents through appropriate explanations, appropriate interventions, maintenance of communication devices (nurse call lights, TV, telephone, etc.), proper equipment, utensils, transportation, total body hygiene, and basic comfort care measures including pain control.
• Utilize all techniques of infection control appropriately: hand washing, changing dressings, giving injections, applying isolation precautions, etc.
• Provides for the psycho-social needs of residents by anticipating fears, worries, changes in lifestyle, listening to and hearing resident/family anxieties and providing forum for venting or reducing anxieties, providing diversion consistent with interests and conditions of resident.
• Contributes in a constructive manner in staff meetings and Resident Care Conferences.
• Consistently communicates in a manner that demonstrates a positive and cooperative attitude. Utilizes appropriate and professional body language.
• Performs responsibilities in a self-directed and a cooperative manner. Uses time constructively and organizes assignments for maximum productivity.
• Participates in the orientation of other nursing staff. Acts as a role model to these personnel.
• Manages charge responsibilities of nursing unit whenever assigned and assumes responsibility for the delivery of care to all resident on the unit.
• Attends, participates, and contributes to staff meetings and in-services on a regular basis.
• Initiates constructive suggestions to peers in the interest to improve the system for delivery of nursing care or individualize resident care.
• Requests and accepts constructive criticism regarding own nursing judgment or actions.
• Identifies and utilizes appropriate lines of authority within the organizational structure.
• Manages conflict and frustration in a positive and constructive manner.
• Demonstrates support of the philosophy of the nursing department by adhering to policies, procedures, and established standards of nursing practice.
• Maintains current knowledge in the present nursing practice area, i.e. attendance at ongoing educational programs and continuing education.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director, Wellness Director and the Director of Clinical Services and Operations.