Purpose of Position/Summary:

Incumbent works as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the Nursing Department of the Indiana Veterans' Home. Performs all aspects of nursing care, within the scope of the Indiana Nurse Practice Act, with moderate supervision. Reports to the unit manager, but also takes directives from the shift supervisor (RN) on the evening and night shifts. May direct the work of Nurse Aide 4's and 5's, following predetermined standards and routines.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Administers medications and treatments in accordance with all accepted standards for administration;

Provides safe, efficient personal care of residents;

Uses recommended safety devices and follows infection control standards;

Answers call lights and residents' requests for assistance;

Adheres to resident's rights at all times;

Documents medications and treatments administered, and care provided;

Assists with orientation of new employees on the unit;

Participates in resident care planning, updating care plans and aide assignments;

Assesses residents, documents findings and reports to the physician;

Transcribes physicians orders;

Communicates resident change of conditon to resident sponsors;

Destroys and documents same of discontinued medications;

Maintains correct controlled substance numbers during shift;

Completes required documentation of nursing notes, transfer forms and other records;

Assists with operation of the unit, including the monthly change over of records;

Completes and distributes nurse aide assignments;

Gives report to on-coming shift.

Schedule and assist with physician, optometrist, podiatrist, dentist appointments;

Administer and record employee health testing results;

Nonessential Duties/Responsibilities:

Provides 1:1 staffing if needed; Assists with resident activities on and off the unit; Responds to codes, provides care as needed, and completes required documentation; Other related duties.

Job Requirements:

Must be licensed as and maintain licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Indiana; must maintain first aid, mantoux and CPR certification. Ability to understand and communicate with residents and understand and complete nursing forms; ability to follow verbal instructions; ability to provide nursing care practices; ability to use medical equipment within scope of licensure; ability to provide safe, efficient resident care, following all applicable state and Veterans' Administration rules, IVH policies and procedures and all HIPAA rules; must attend and complete all required inservice training; ability to prioritize workload; ability to be flexible; ability to assess resident's and report to the physician; ability to administer medications and treatments in a safe, efficient manner, recognizing medication side effects; ability to know approved abbreviations and appropriate terminology; ability to document in a legible manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

May assign and review work of Nursing Attendants on the unit. Reports to the Nursing Unit Manager.

Difficulty of Work:

Work involves complex judgement decisions, based on standard policies, procedures and sound nursing practices.

Responsibility:

Work is of moderate complexity, with minimal supervision, requiring judgement to determine the best application of specialized knowledge. Failure to utilize good judgement may be detrimental to resident care.

Personal Work Relationships:

Works with residents, professional and non-professional staff, residents' families, visitors, volunteers and staff from other facilities.

Physical Effort:

Must be able to walk and stand for long periods of time; must be able to bend, stoop, twist, reach above shoulders, push/pull, must be able to assist with lifting and transferring residents, from 100 to 500 pounds, using a gait belt or other accepted practices, or with a mechanical device

Working Conditions:

Work is generally on a nursing care unit, in a controlled environment; may be exposed to body fluids and cleaning chemicals; may be exposed to violent residents