Department Overview

The licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides clinical care in a primary clinic supporting the needs of patients and patient care teams, including: patient assess service representatives (PAS), medical assistants (MAs), registered nurses (RNs) and licensed independent practitioners (LIPs).

The LPN has a supervised practice that occurs at the clinical direction and under the clinical supervision of the RN or LIP who have authority to make changes in the plan of care, and encompasses a variety of patient care roles, including but not limited to: Rooming, data collection, recording, reporting patient information, focused patient assessment, development of a focused care plan, implementation of the plan of care, evaluation of patient responses to nursing interventions, basic telephone triaging and patient education and performing simple treatments and procedures.

The LPN recognizes and addresses age-appropriate needs when caring for patients. In addition, the LPN assists in maintaining the practice environment in a clean, orderly condition (including cleaning and stocking rooms).

The LPN participates in ongoing professional development and competency assessment, and participates in ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives. Performs requirements and expectation of OHSU employees as outlined in OHSU Core Competencies, Code of Conduct, policies, and procedures.

Function/Duties of Position

MANAGES PATIENT FLOW AND INTAKE: Manages patient flow and room turnover in assigned areas. Implement Standard Intake (vital signs, weight, height, etc.). Assists patients as needed with ambulation or transportation using proper body mechanics. Documents appropriate intake information in EPIC as stated by patient. Assists practitioners or other staff with set-up and performance of all clinical procedures and examinations. Assist with implement of virtual visits and phone visits as needed.

PERFORM CLINIC BASED LAB FUNCTIONS AND OTHER TESTING: Competent in performing accurately CLIA waved and CLIA non-waived lab tests to include but not limited to simple lab testing such as Clintest, urine pregnancy, hemoglobin A1C and capillary glucose. Performs diagnostic tests including EKGs, spirometry, etc.

PLAN OF CARE: Conducts focal assessments by collecting data through observations, interviewing patients, and records in an accurate and timely manner as appropriate to the patients’ health care needs. Provides input regarding patient's needs and responses to care to RNs or LIPs. Distinguishing abnormal from normal data, sorting, selecting, recording and reporting the data discrepancies to the RN or LIP. Recognizing signs and symptoms of deviation from current health status and evaluating data to identify problems or risks presents by the patients. Contributes to the development of focused plan of care. Contributes to patient education. Selecting appropriate nursing interventions as established by the RN or consistent with the LIP’s plan of care. Manages EPIC in-baskets and documents all care in EPIC.

MEDICATION ADMINSTRATION: Competent in medication and immunization administration and all 7 Rights of Medication Administration per LPN’s license.

MAINTAINING EQUIPMENT: Cleans and prepares equipment for sterilization. Maintains inventory of necessary supplies for both patient exam rooms and work areas.

ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: Recognizes emergent situations and treatments (hypoglycemia, as well as CPR); Contacts RN and/or LIP when appropriate to assist with the emergency or abnormal situations;

PARTICIPATION IN QUALITY PROJECTS: Actively participates in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as requested by clinical leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Graduated from an accredited Practical Nursing Program
• Recent and direct patient care experience
• Recent experience with culturally diverse patient population
• Computer skills, including EHR
• Demonstrate ability to work with a variety of diverse patients in potentially difficult situations
• Skills in developing and maintaining professional relationships as well as conflict management
• Detail-oriented; ability to prioritize appropriately
• Current BLS certification
• Current Oregon Practical Nurse License (LPN)
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications

• Recent and direct patient care experience in a very busy ambulatory clinic setting
• Recent primary care experienc
• Experience with EPIC

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu. As an organization devoted to the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond, OHSU requires its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.