Description:
Purpose
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for a variety of health and nursing related services including, but not limited to, providing nursing care to the residents; assistance with the employee health, infection control, universal precautions, pharmacy and therapeutics, and medication administration programs; and compliance with OSHA, COA Licensure regulations. On-call responsibilities are shared with the employees of the Nursing Department.
Essential Job Functions
1. Provides nursing services for the residents of Bellewood and Brooklawn, under direction of a RN.
2. Participates in resident treatment planning, providing the medical plan of care for medication, illness and/or medical conditions, and observes for opportunities for improvement in care as needed.
3. Receives and transcribes physician orders for residents, assuring that these orders are completed as ordered. Maintains an on-going relationship with Pharmacy related to ordering, receiving medications, verifying accuracy. Ensures transcription to MARs are accurate based on practitioner’s orders.
4. Assists with resident admissions, discharges and other program functions.
5. Addresses residents’ health & medical needs by ensuring appropriate & timely follow-up, scheduling appointments with Resident Care Coordinators, for pediatrician, dentist, specialty referrals, lab work, etc., and providing transportation when required.
6. Communicates regularly with Bellewood and Brooklawn Director of Nursing (DON), psychiatrists, pediatrician, and consulting specialists regarding the medical related issues with the residents. Ensures program staff are aware of & have been educated related to medical & health needs for residents.
7. Identifies health education needs for residents and develops and assists with educational programs based on those findings. Informs residents & staff of medication changes and provides education on desired effects and potential side effects.
8. Oversees proper preparation & collections of specimens and paperwork for laboratory orders. Ensures all labs ordered are collected, sent out, & results are communicated to the DON & practitioners in a timely manner.
9. Assists with daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly & as needed scheduling, order entry, and collection for phlebotomy and lab work.
10. Provides Sex Education and AIMS testing of residents with the mandated period of time.
11. Completes admission & annual TB testing on residents as mandated.
12. Completes LOA Medication Instruction Sheets and obtains Physician Orders as needed, to accompany the Pass Progress notes generated by the therapist. Forwards to the residential units indicated within the designated time frame. Works with Pharmacy & staff to ensure accurate LOAs are received.
13. Participates in a handoff after on call, weekly, & as needed regarding all residents to the nursing team, in order to provide for consistent care to residents.
14. Reviews Resident Injury Reports and Medical Needs forms, escalating any changes of status or immediate needs to the DON. Provides follow-up care & documentation as needed and assists with preparation of the Resident Injury Monthly Report as requested.
15. Interacts with residents, families, staff, volunteers, and the public in a manner which promotes team work on a daily basis, as well as excellent customer service.
16. Observes Resident Rights on a daily basis, and educates the resident & staff related to medical/health/medication needs.
17. Assists in problem-solving between departments as issues arise, maintaining a good working rapport with other departments. Provides rationales & education related to the issues at hand.
18. Maintains a good rapport with vendors such as the laboratory, x-ray technicians, pharmacy, Mobile EKG, and others for continuation of optimum service.
19. Provides discharge prescriptions, instructions and assistance in obtaining them, as needed. Ensures any follow-up needed is communicated at time of discharge.
20. Provides excellent customer service to all parties mentioned.
21. Works with others in Nursing Department to provide coverage through vacations, holidays, trainings, and Treatment Team. Ensures all assignments are appropriately covered prior to taking scheduled off time. Communicates that coverage to pertinent parties.
22. Schedules on-campus medical exams needed, such as EKG’s, clinic visits, lab work, etc., and prepares appropriate paperwork.
23. Maintains excellent organization and time management skills, as evidenced by meeting necessary time frames with documentation, appointments, follow-up, lab work, etc. Assignments to be determined by the Director of Nursing to meet the needs of the residents.
24. Completes and/or writes discharge summaries. Completes medical section of quarterly reports on residents. Completes all necessary resident/medical/health related documentation within specified timeframe.
25. Maintains resident medical files.
26. Medication administration is authorized by advanced practice registered nurse, physician, physician assistant, or dentist.
27. LPN will observe & report any adverse reactions and initiate interventions as delegated by the RN, physician, or dentist.
28. Assists with staff training, maintenance and ongoing evaluation of the Medication Administration Program.
29. Participates and assists with the direction of the Medication Team.
30. Addresses Medication Errors reported when on call and provides information to staff regarding appropriate disposition based on orders, policies, and procedures. Analyzes Medication Error Reports and assures that they are reviewed by the Cottage Manager, the Medical Director, and the Pharmacy Consultant prior to filing.
31. Provides quality direction of the medication administration process by assisting the Medication Representatives with problems and by providing feedback related to quality assurance regarding the med room and med carts.
32. Reviews and analyzes PRN medication usage. Reports findings to RN and physicians.
33. Interacts with the DON, Shift Supervisors, Cottage Managers, Med reps, & clinical staff and physicians regarding medication related problems, including providing feedback for employee performance appraisals.
34. Is a member of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Subcommittee and thus assists with quarterly Pharmacy and Therapeutic reports to the Quality Council, as requested.
35. Assists the DON with Med Pass Observations of the Medication Representatives.
36. Actively participates in required/mandatory & assigned meetings and in services and maintains certification and requirements for licensure by attending continuing education trainings that enhance their nursing skills.
37. Assists with the Infection Control process including TB Testing, Hepatitis B Vaccinations, Influenza Vaccinations, Employee/Resident contagious diseases and completes monthly Infection Walkthrough of the buildings for which he/she is responsible for the Treatment Teams.
Requirements:
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Associate's degree in applied nursing or equivalent; and 1-2 years related experience and/or training.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
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A valid and current Kentucky Licensed Practical Nurse license
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Current driver’s license
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CPR certificate