POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible to the Manager/Clinical Supervisor designee for overall nursing practice. Provides nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse and is responsible to her/him for the care assigned during the work shift.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. High School education or equivalent.
2. Completion of a licensed practical nurse degree program required.
3. Satisfactory completion of medication IV therapy course work.

Experience:

1. Previous LPN experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Effectively functions as a team member and as a liaison between patient and staff.
2. Supports and encourages harmonious communication skills.
3. Uses verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
4. Communicates in highly professional manner at all times.
5. Demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional tolerance and even temperament when dealing with ill people; uses tact, sensitivity, sound judgement and a professional attitude when relating with patients, families, and co-workers at all times.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Licensed as a Practical Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania.
2. Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general supervision from the Unit Manager/Clinical Supervisor.  May also be accountable to the Team Leader, Clinical Supervisor, Charge Nurse. Performs under standard practices which enables the employee to proceed alone on routine work assignments referring questionable cases to professional nurse responsible for the assigned patients.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Collects Patient Health Data as assigned and delegated by the RN by:

1. Prioritizes data collection based on the patient's immediate condition or needs.
2. Collects pertinent data using appropriate assessment techniques based on the patient's developmental, health status and identified learning needs.
3. Involves the patient, significant others, and other health care providers, when appropriate, in data collection.
4. Uses a data collection process that is systematic and ongoing.
5. Documents relevant data in a retrievable form.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Participates in Identifying Expected Outcomes Individualized to the Patient under the direction of the RN.  Outcomes:

1. Are derived from the diagnoses.
2. Are documented as measurable goals.
3. Are mutually formulated with the patient and other health care providers when possible.
4. Are realistic in relation to the patient's present and potential capabilities.
5. Are attainable in relation to resources available to the patient.
6. Include a time estimate for attainment.
7. Provide direction for continuity of care.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Contributes to the Plan of Care that Prescribes Interventions to Attain Expected Outcomes as Developed by the RN.  The plan:

1. Is individualized to meet the patient's developmental and health status needs.
2. Is developed by the RN with the patient, significant others, and other health care providers, when appropriate.
3. Reflects current nursing practice.
4. Includes appropriate interventions to meet the patient's identified learning needs.
5. Is documented.
6. Provides for continuity of care including post discharge.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Implements the Interventions Identified in the Plan of Care as Developed and Delegated by the RN.  Interventions are:

1. Consistent with the established plan of care.
2. Measurable objective and specific.
3. Implemented in a safe and appropriate manner.
4. Documented.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Contributes to Evaluation of the Patient's Progress Toward Attainment of Outcomes by:

1. Evaluating in a systematic and ongoing process.
2. Documenting responses to interventions.
3. Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions is evaluated in relation to outcomes as appropriate.
4. Collecting ongoing assessment data and communicating with the RN.
5. Documenting revisions in diagnoses, outcomes, and the plan of care as appropriate.
6. Involving the patient, significant others, and other health care providers in the evaluation process, when appropriate.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Participates in the Evaluation of Quality and Effectiveness of Nursing Practice by:

1. Participating in quality of care activities as appropriate to the individual's position, education, and practice environment.  Such activities may include the following:

• Collection of data to monitor quality and effectiveness of nursing care as delegated and assigned by the RN.
• Contributing to the formulation of recommendations to improve nursing practice or patient outcomes.
• Implementation of activities to enhance the quality of nursing practice under the direction of the RN.
• Participation on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate clinical practice or health services under the direction of a RN.
• Participation in the development of policies and procedures to improve quality of care.

1. Using the results of quality of care activities to improve nursing practice under direction of the RN.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Evaluates His/Her Own Nursing Practice in Relation to Practical Nurse Practice Standards and Relevant Statutes and Regulations by:

1. Engaging in performance appraisal on a regular basis, identifying areas of strength as well as areas for practice development.
2. Seeking constructive feedback regarding his/her own practice.
3. Taking action to achieve goals identified during performance appraisal.
4. Participating in peer review as appropriate.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Acquires and Maintains Current Knowledge in Nursing Practice by:

1. Participating in ongoing educational activities related to clinical knowledge and practice issues.
2. Seeking experiences to maintain clinical skills and demonstrates clinical competency.
3. Seeking knowledge and skills appropriate to the practice setting.
4. Updating knowledge and clinical skills on an ongoing basis including but not limited to successful completion and maintenance of Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (HCP BLS) certification.  HCP BLS must be completed within four (4) months of the end of probation.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Contributes to the Development of Peers, Colleagues and Others by:

1. Sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues and others.
2. Providing peers with constructive feedback regarding their practice.
3. Contributing to an environment that is conducive to clinical education of nursing students, as appropriate.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse's Decisions and Actions On Behalf Of Patients Are Determined In An Ethical Manner by:

1. Practicing by the "Code for Nurses" and the Patient's Bill of Rights.
2. Maintaining patient confidentiality.
3. Acting as a patient advocate.
4. Delivering care in a non-judgmental and nondiscriminatory manner that is sensitive to patient diversity.
5. Delivering care in a manner that preserves/protects patient autonomy, dignity and rights.
6. Seeking available resources to help formulate ethical decisions.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Collaborates With The Patient, Significant Others, and Health Care Providers in Providing Patient Care Under the Direction of the RN by:

1. Communicating with the patient, significant others and health care providers regarding patient care.
2. Consulting with health care providers for patient care as directed by the RN.
3. Making referrals, including provisions for continuity of care as directed by the RN.

• The Licensed Practical Nurse Uses Research Findings in Practice by:

1. Using interventions substantiated by research as appropriate to the individual's position, education and practice environment.
2. Participating in research activities as appropriate to the individual's position, education and practice environment. Such activities may include:

• Contributing to the identification of clinical problems suitable for nursing research.
• Participating in data collection.
• The Licensed Practical Nurse Considers Factors Related to Safety, Effectiveness and Cost in the Delivery of Patient Care by:

1. Contributing to the evaluation of factors related to safety, effectiveness and cost when two or more practice options would result in the same expected patient outcome.
2. Practicing in a safe and cost effective manner.

• The Nurse Demonstrates Organizational Skills by:

1. Organizing and prioritizing the patient care assignment under the direction of the RN.
2. Demonstrating flexibility in a changing health care environment.
3. Assuming other duties and responsibilities related to job classification and department as assigned by the unit director/manager.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.