Description

POSITION: Licensed Practical Nurse

REPORTS TO: Patient Care Unit Coordinator/ Registered Nurse on duty/Vice President of Nursing Services

FLSA STATUS: o exempt o non-exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide direct patient care, administer medications, and supervise certified nursing assistants

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current NC license as a practical nurse
• Minimum 2-3 years’ nursing experience required 
• Active patient contact or completion of a nursing refresher course within the past 3 years
• CPR certification

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule
• Knowledge of and commitment to the hospice philosophy of care
• Willingness to work with patients/families regardless of race, color, creed, age or sexual orientation. Must respect their beliefs and philosophy with an attitude of openness and receptiveness

TRAINING-Initial And Ongoing:

• Complete Hospice volunteer/staff training program
• Complete Hospice orientation program
• Obtain 12 hours of continuing education per year, including mandatory safety in-service
• Attend minimum of six staff meetings per year
• Maintain CPR certification

Requirements

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in orienting new team members, as requested
• Participate in quality improvement program
• Adhere to strict confidentiality 
• Adhere to safety policy and practices
• Complete employee time record accurately per policy
• Cooperate with all government agencies and outside auditors
• Assist with updating policies and procedures, as appropriate
• Complete annual TB screening
• Assure all license, certifications, continuing education information and any other required documentation are submitted to human resources and kept current
• Maintain up-to-date documentation required and specified in Hospice policy and procedure
• Perform other duties assigned by supervisor
• Evaluate physical needs of the patient
• Coordinate medication administration, educationand assure accuracy 
• Evaluate the need for other services
• Communicate patient/family information to the interdisciplinary team
• Update and follow plan of care established by IDT with goals as defined by patient/family/hospice team
• Provide nursing services (treatment of symptoms, preventive measures, etc) according to plan of care, as indicated
• Notify physician, or appropriate staff member of changes in patient’s condition
• Make referral to other services as needed in coordination with the medicalsocial worker
• Provide the patient/family with information concerning the disease process, the regimen of treatment process, and alternative methods of care
• Respond to questions honestly and realistically
• Help the patient/family make informed choices
• Provide emotional support
• Actively listen to patient and family concerns
• Support individual coping mechanisms 
• Provide services at the time of death
• Communicate with physician as needed
• Maintain current knowledge and competency in providing care to terminally ill patients and their families
• Notify staff of patient’s death in accordance to policy
• Assure medications are administered accurately, on a timely basis and in accordance with physician orders
• Respond promptly to all emergency situations
• Maintain constant vigilance over patients, insuring necessary safety precautions are taken
• Follow all infection control procedures
• Assist with supervising certified nursing assistants 
• Assure facility is secured per AMOREM policy and procedure after hours and on weekends
• Assure facility environment is appropriate to promote privacy and solace for all patients
• Assure patient/facility laundry is appropriately cleaned and restocked

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Speech and hearing skills necessary for telephone interaction and face to face contact
• Visual acuity to read chart and physician’s orders
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
• Manual dexterity to establish IV sites, manipulate tubing, and other patient care supplies
• With assistance, ability to lift and support an average of 150 pounds
• Ability to sit as required to perform duties 
• Ability to pull/push, and bend frequently
• Ability to squat, kneel, climb, and balance

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have an automobile with required insurance coverage and state driver’s license