Licensed Practical Nurse - Float North
Schedule: Night Shift. 36 hours weekly.
About the Position
A “Licensed Practical Nurse” is a person who holds a valid Indiana license, and who functions at the direction of the Registered Nurse, Physician, Osteopathic Physician, and Podiatrist in performance of activities requiring special knowledge or skill.
Overview of Responsibilities
- Demonstrates the ability to work independently within scope of practice.
- In collaboration with and at the direction of the RN, works well with the multidisciplinary team.
- Uses appropriate resources – Primary RN, Charge Nurse, Unit Director, Directors, House Supervisor, Pharmacy, etc.
- Demonstrates good time management by having no unjustified overtime.
- Compliant with attendance policy.
- Offers assistance to the team to maintain unit productivity – asks, “What may I do to help you leave on time?”
- Informs supervisor when hours worked may accrue overtime.
- Collaborates with team and management to develop cost-effective solutions and improve workflow processes.
- Uses team huddles and check-backs to proactively report changes.
- Documentation is accurate, precise, and thorough and meets department and regulatory standards, including date, time, signature, and RBV (read back and verified) for orders.
- Documentation is up-to-date and concurrently charted in “real time.”
- Documentation is consistently legible, grammatically correct, and appropriately punctuated.
- Documentation contains only hospital-approved abbreviations.
- Documentation portrays the patient’s condition (tells the story in sequential order).
- Documents changes in patient condition and responses to interventions.
- Documents communications with physicians and/or other members of the healthcare team.
- Uses quantifiable tools to document pain (Lichert & Wong Scales) and follow-up intervention responses.
- Documents safety risks.
- Documents observational and purposeful rounding.
- Demonstrates competence in utilization of all EMR and resource systems.
- Completes medication reconciliation.
- Accountable for maintaining privacy of medical records and patient information.
- Anticipates the needs of customers and responds to questions, concerns, and needs in a timely manner.
- Performs rounding, bedside report, and hand-off.
- As directed by the RN, involves customers in the daily plan of care and utilizes communication boards in patient rooms.
- Promotes a healing and supportive environment, which may include: therapeutic touch/massage, music therapy, aromatherapy, quiet environment, eliminating offensive odors, soothing room environment (temperature, cleanliness, etc.).
- Communicates in a constructive and professional manner in all interactions.
- Upholds Relationship-Based Care (RBC).
- Accommodates the cultural, spiritual, and emotional needs of customers.
- Approaches customers when they appear dissatisfied or in need of other assistance and immediately facilitates service recovery efforts.
- Explains things in a way the patient understands.
- Responds to call lights within nursing’s goal time frame.
- Supports methods to keep noise at a minimum.
- Seeks methods to control patient’s pain.
- Describes new medications to the patient.
- Describes medication side effects.
- Performs the following under the direction of the RN:
- - Appropriately recognizes and reports abnormal assessment data.
- - Collaborates with RN to create an appropriate plan of care.
- - Effectively carries out the plan of care.
- - Recognizes success of or modifies the plan of care.
- Anticipates and meets the holistic needs of customers.
- Applies skillful reasoning to the Nursing Process.
- At the direction of the RN, initiates nursing protocols and standing orders as condition dictates.
- Appropriately communicates patient condition to the RN.
- Shift report is thorough, timely, and gives an accurate health picture.
- Accurately and appropriately reports patient changes.
- Competent in required clinical skills as evidenced through:
- Identifies and utilizes appropriate Fall precautions and other safety measures.
- Utilizes Independent Double Check with high-alert medications.
- Ensures safety by utilizing the five rights of medication administration.
- Does not override safety mechanisms with medication administration.
- In collaboration with the RN, educates customers using the “teach-back” method.
- Volunteers and actively participates in committees as assigned.
- Maintains annual competencies, licensure, and/or certifications and continuing education.
- Serves as a resource and mentor to the team.
- Provides best-practice by following hospital standards of care, policies and procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Remains calm and works effectively in stressful situations, using good judgment and tact.
- Takes all assignments/alterations in schedule and makes the best of their workday.
- Participates in staff meetings and unit updates.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be
expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.
Education & Experience
- Minimum education required: Graduation from accredited practical nurse program (PN).
- Minimum experience preferred: 1 year experience working as an LPN in healthcare setting.
Licensure & Certification
- Minimum certification required: Licensure in state of Indiana as a Practical Nurse; BLS certification
