GENERAL PURPOSE:

The TRU (Transitional Rehab Unit) LPN is accountable to the Transitional Rehab Manager and House Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Medication administration, care management and gives direct patient care, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding patients, and assisting in examinations and treatments. Ability to lift, walk, carry and stand.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Individuals must comply with the Boulder City Hospital’s Privacy and Security policies as reflected in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Standard I: The Licensed Practice Nurse performs delegated functions as appropriate to the position within established standards, policies and procedures of the hospital and nursing department.

1. Assessment (Assesses and shares information with RN):

1. Gathers and documents information from verbal interaction with patient and or significant others.
2. Determines status of body systems based on her/his observation and physical examination.
3. Integrates her/his findings with data collection from physicians and other health care personnel.
4. Assists with identifying and providing patient and family teaching needs.
5. Communicates information based on her/his findings.

2. Planning:

1. Contributes to plan of care: by appropriately observing, reporting and documenting changes in the patient’s physiological and behavioral status.
2. Demonstrates the ability to determine patient needs based on established priorities.
3. Appropriately selects nursing measures for delivery of patient care in cooperation with the RN
4. Coordinates the care with other health care personnel.

3. Implementation:

1. Performs nursing activities in compliance with the plan of care
2. Performs or assists in nursing actions based on selected nursing measures.
3. Demonstrates compliance with established policies/procedures when delivering nursing care and delegated nursing functions.
4. Evaluates and intervenes when necessary with the nursing care delivered by other health personnel on the team.
5. Reports and records observations, nursing actions and other information relevant to patient care.
6. Actively involved with identifying and providing patient and family needs.
7. Initiates plan for disposition of patient through clear communication of patient instruction and education of patient and/or family.

1) Demonstrates the ability to recognize, report and document changes in:

2) Physiological status

3) Behavioral patterns

4) Signs and symptoms of complications

5) Life threatening situations.

h. Administers medications and intravenous therapy in compliance with Boulder City Hospital Nursing Department and Nevada State Board of Nursing policies and procedures (see LPN IV Regulations Policy) and (NAC 632.450 & 632.455)

i. Documents appropriate observations, treatments, medications and response to nursing and medial intervention based on own observation and the collection of data.

j. Demonstrates skill in making patients comfortable and assuring privacy and dignity.

k. Responds to life threatening situations, inclusive of Code 99 situations, internal and external disasters and drills.

4. Evaluation: Evaluates the compliance level and effectiveness of meeting the nursing objectives, strategy of planned care and implementation of nursing measures by:

1. Evaluating compliance with prescribed medical orders and nursing measures.
2. Actively participating in nursing conferences.
3. Participates in patient rounds
4. Recording in the medical record, relevant information to patient management and response to that care.
5. Evaluates effectiveness of unit systems and provides input of changes/improvements to these systems through participation in the QA program.
6. Evaluates and documents patient pain levels in reaction to pain medication.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Standard II: The Licensed Practical Nurse shall perform nursing functions in an organized and effective manner.

1. Demonstrates the ability to constructively plan and use times

2. Utilizes supplies and equipment effectively.

3. Responds positively to changes in assignment and/or priorities.

4. Demonstrates cooperative attitude with co-workers and other hospital personnel.

5. Appropriately reports job related problems to supervisory personnel.

Standard III: The Licensed Practical Nurse shall be accountable for maintaining the improving basic nursing knowledge and skills.

1. Demonstrates efforts to maintain and improve knowledge and skills through attendance at in-service and continuing education programs. Annual Education requirements (refer to hospital policy)

2. Accountable to read policies and procedures as they relate to the hospital and nursing department.

3. Attends scheduled unit meetings and / or committees.

4. Contributes to the orientation of new employees.

Standard IV: The Licensed Practical Nurse shall support the department and hospital’s goals, objectives, philosophy and practices.

1. Demonstrates a positive response to the work environment

2. Demonstrates compliance with hospital and nursing service standards, policies and procedures.

3. Demonstrates flexibility with schedule changes

4. Reliable and cooperative as a hospital team member.

5. Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of other employees, patients, medial staff and visitors.

6. Reports for duty as scheduled

7. Reports for duty on time

Restrictions (May Not)

1. Push direct intravenous medication (as per NSBNNAC 632.455 )

2. Perform duties related to IV therapy and N/G tubes, unless certified to do so.

3. Perform initial assessment.

Standard V: The Licensed Practical Nurse will consider all aspects of safety regarding self, patients, visitors and other personnel.

1. Assesses the environment for any risk factors.

2. Reports safety hazards to appropriate person(s) and follows through to confirm correction.

Standard VI: The Licensed Practical Nurse considers all aspects of infection and control and universal precautions in performing all duties and responsibilities.

1. Assessment: Assesses all Environments for Infection Control issues.

1. Assess all patients on visit for infectious process or disease
2. Assess patient area for potential sources of pathogenic transmission.
3. Assess self and others (physician, staff, patient and visitors) for good hand washing technique.
4. Assess need for isolation precautions as appropriate to the disease process.

2. Planning: Plans treatment for patients with infectious process during visit and after disposition

a. Initiates appropriated precautions and/or isolation.

b. Follows through with care for the treatment and prevention of infections.

c. Provides education and direction to ancillary personnel, patients and visitors on required precautions.

d. Performs adequate hand washing technique at all times.

3. Evaluation: Evaluates effectiveness of procedures and hospital systems.

a. Evaluate individualized patient care.

b. Evaluate effectiveness of the units infection control system

c. Evaluates ongoing adherence to unit and hospital policy regarding infection control.

Standard VII: The TRU Licensed Practical Nurse performs general nursing duties with consideration of all aspects of relevant treatment of patients. The TRU Licensed Practical Nurse must complete the TRU Nurse Skill Checklist.

1. Assessment:

1. Identifies and documents specific signs and symptoms common to the pathophysiology of TRU patients, accurately completes the acuity criteria form for each patient (when available) and identifies, assesses and reports any significant changes from the patient’s baseline status.
2. Continually assesses the effectiveness and efficacy of TRU orders and recommends changes as necessary.
3. Assess patient’s age to identify deficits.

2. Planning:

1. Contributes to individual care plan utilizing standards of care developed for the care for TRU. patients.
2. Plans teaching programs for the patient and family using tools specific for patients in TRU.

3. Implementation:

1. Performs patient care, as delegated, based on knowledge, specific unit standards and prudent nursing judgment.
2. Performs care, considering patient’s age, educational level and social circumstances.

4. Evaluation:

1. Utilizes unit standards to ensure appropriate intervention and outcome.
2. Utilized unit QA Program to identify, evaluate and revise problems identified in the system.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1. Active Nevada Nursing License

2. Prefer 1 year experience in an acute care setting.

3. CPR Certified

4. Completion of an approved IV Certification Class in Nevada or another state with copies of current competency recertification.