Licensed Practical Nurse

Overview

The LPN is responsible for performing a wide variety of nursing care, patient activities, and accommodative services for the comfort and well-being of patients in accordance with physicians' orders and under the guidance and direction of the Registered Nurse.

Responsibilities

• Performs basic nursing care and patient procedures as required.
• Participate in conferences and serves on Committees as requested.
• Observes, reports, and documents in the patient chart changes in patient's condition, observations made, and complaints voiced and nursing care performed.
• Participates in patient and family health education as necessary.
• Provides a safe and secure environment for the patient.
• Prepares for and assists with diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.
• May administer I.V.F. in accordance with state Nurse Practice Act.
• Checks, irrigates and maintains drainage tubes as needed.
• May insert N/G tubes after training. (KY & VA).
• May administer tube feedings.
• Suctions patients according to hospital policy and procedure.
• Functions in emergencies and on the code team as designated.
• Performs catheterizations and provides catheter care.
• Administers oral and intra-muscular, intradermal, subcu, I.V., PB, and medications as approved.
• Administers I.V.P. medications as approved. (In Virginia only).
• Cares for patients receiving oxygen therapy and analyses oxygen concentration of 02 tents, isolette and croupettes.
• Administers respiratory treatments (I.P.P.B.).
• Applies sterile and unsterile compresses and bandages of all types and styles.
• Answers call lights, assist patients with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living.
• Tests urine for sugar, acetone, and ph., weighs patients, and takes vital signs.
• Cares for patients in isolation.
• Assists with physical and vaginal examinations and obtaining pap smears.
• Administers post-operative regime: cough, deep breathing, turn patients, and takes vital signs.
• Prepares patients for surgery, including pre-op check lists.
• Applies ace bandages, all types of traction, hot water bottle and ice cap.
• Measures and records intake and output.
• Collects specimens; blood, urine, stool and sputum.
• Administers post-mortuum care and transportation.
• Administers enemas: retention, cleansing, therapeutic, colonic, irrigation.
• Maintains cleanliness, safety and efficiency in nursing.
• Alert to and able to respond appropriately in an emergency situation, providing patient care, initiating CPR and any other tasks designated by the RN or MD.
• Assists with the care and security of the patients' valuables.
• Checks narcotics and barbiturates reports discrepancies, completes incident report appropriately and submits to appropriate management.
• Cares for patients with radium and assists physician with removal of radium.
• Prepares used equipment for re-sterilization.
• Cleans and maintains storage of equipment. Request repairs, follow-up with physician and other staff as appropriate regarding equipment performance.
• Comply with hospital policies for obtaining, documenting and follow through on telephone and verbal orders.
• Monitors glucose via glucose monitor machine
• Collects Quality Improvement data as requested.
• Uses universal precautions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Practical Nursing required.

Work Experience:

• Six (6) months to one (1) year of on-the-job training required to attain proficiency in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Licensure/Certification:

• Current Practical Nurse licensure in the state of practice required.
• Successful completion of an Intravenous (IV) Therapy Course required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Technical skills in specialized nursing areas preferred.
• Knowledge of practical nursing principles, techniques, and procedures.
• Ability to provide safe and effective patient care in accordance with established standards of practice.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to accurately assess, observe, document, and report patient conditions.
• Ability to function effectively as a member of the healthcare team.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple patient care responsibilities.