A. BASIC PURPOSE 

A clinically competent, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) delivers care to patients in their placeof residence through the nursing process of data collection, planning, implementation andevaluation. The nurse follows through with the plan of care established by the registeredprofessional nurse and effectively interacts with the patients, caregivers, and other members ofthe health care team while maintaining established standards of nursing. Must beknowledgeable regarding the nursing process and its 

B. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

DData Collection/Follows Plan of Care 

1. In collaboration with patient, caregivers, and other members of the health care team: 

i. Performs ongoing patient visits. 

ii. Demonstrates proficiency in the data collection of the patient’s physical,psychosocial, emotional, family and support system and environmental status forappropriateness for home care. 

2. Follows the written plan of care that was developed by the registered, professional nursein conjunction with other members of the health care team (physician, therapists,nurses, medical social worker, and home health aide) based on medical and nursingdiagnoses, identified patient care needs and standards of care. 

3. Identifies patient care needs based on ongoing home visits and reports these to theregistered nurse.

 4. In conjunction with the registered nurse, identifies expected outcomes and establishesrealistic goals for patient and caregivers based on data collection during home visits. 

5. In conjunction with the registered nurse, determines nursing interventions and teachingrequired to achieve each expected outcome and goal. 

6. Assists in coordinating care and service provided to patient by other members of thehealth care team including agency employees, other agencies, and vendors. 

7. Complies with Home Health documentation/communication expectations. 

8. Complies with Home Health policies and procedures related to Infection Control,including, but not limited to:i. Handwashingii. Body Substance Precautionsiii. Disposal of Medically Related Materialiv. Post-Exposure Testing and Prophylaxisv. Cleaning, Disinfecting and Redistributing of Medical Equipment and Supplies

Intervention 

1. Performs skilled nursing procedures as ordered by patient’s physician in accordancewith Home Health policies and procedures and LPN Practice Act.

2. Provides education to patient and caregivers regarding medical condition, medications,and nutritional requirements. 

3. Demonstrates proficiency in performance of nursing skills necessary to care for patients. 

4. Documents relevant and accurate patient information in the clinical record according toHome Care policies and procedures. 

5. Clinical notes are documented the day of the visit along with related documentation(verbal orders, etc.) and submitted within 48 hours of the visit. 

6. Vital signs are required on every billable visit or documentation why they were not taken;weights and pain are documented on every visit or as ordered. 

7. ALL wounds must be measured on each visit. 

8. Verbal orders are written the date the order is received and mailed to physician. 

9. Treatments and care procedures and medication profiles are documented and updatedas change in physician orders are obtained. 

10. Updates patient plan of care. 

11. Voicemail must be listened to prior to and after shift. 

12. Communicates all pertinent patient care and scheduling information needed bysupervisor on a daily basis. 

13. Effectively orders and uses supplies in accordance with payer requirements. 

14. Uses appropriate lab slip and/or specimen container and completes labels appropriatelyaccording to pay source requirements. 

15. Demonstrates skills related to safe use of equipment. 

16. Demonstrates skills to prevent personal injury; uses good body mechanics and safedriving practices. 

17. Demonstrates ability to organize and prioritize assignments.

 Evaluation of Outcomes of Care

1. Documents patient and/or caregiver response to care, interventions and/or teaching. 

2. Documents patient progress toward outcomes of care. 

3. In conjunction with the registered nurse, modifies plan of care based on ongoingprovision of care and data collection. 

4. Patient plan of care is reviewed and revised as patient’s condition warrants, no less thanevery 60 days, when there is a significant change in condition and on discharge. 

5. Phones patient’s physician immediately with significant changes in the patient’scondition. 

6. Reports significant findings during visits to Supervisor, Registered Nurse and otheragency employees visiting patient. 

7. Attends appropriate meetings as scheduled and required to participate in coordination ofpatient care, receive agency updates, educational material, etc. 

8. Presents accurate, concise reports with relevant patient information at team meetings orwhen providing patient updates. 

9. Makes referrals to other members of the health care team as appropriate. 

10. Completes discipline discharges the day of the discharge visit or when notified; submitsdocumentation within 48 hours. 

i. Completes agency discharge if no other services are active with patient. 

ii. Signs Discharge instruction sheet at visit (preferred) or mailed to patient. 

iii. Documents that physician was notified of discharge and completes verbal order ifone is not included on admission 

11. Completes discharge summaries within 48 hours of the patient discharge.

Resource Utilization

1. Ascertains knowledge of patient pay source and make visits appropriately.

2. Ensures managed care patients have authorizations prior to visits.

3. Submits schedules to Supervisor in advance or informs Supervisor of availability for work according to agency policy

Leadership 

1. Adheres to the Code of Ethical Behavior.

2. Complies with Home Health policies and procedures.

3. Demonstrates behavior that facilitates the smooth operation of the home health agency. 

4. Maintains confidentiality of all patient and agency information following HIPAAguidelines regarding patient information. 

5. Demonstrates awareness of own behavior and its effect on own/agency productivity andeffectiveness. 

6. Provides complete and accurate information for the weekend and holiday visit schedule. 

7. Assumes responsibility for weekend and holiday and evening visits as assigned. 

8. Participates in on-call rotation as required. 

Professionalism 

1. Demonstrates responsibility in the role of Licensed Practical Nurse. 

2. Participates in agency activities which promote quality patient care and/or are part of theagency’s Performance Improvement (PI) program. 

i. Quarterly Clinical Record Review 

ii. Performance Improvement Studies

 iii. Membership on PI Teams as requested 

3. Maintains current knowledge of nursing and home health through participation inseminars, inservices, and independent professional reading program. 

4. Participates in staff meetings, agency sponsored inservices and team meetings. 

5. Exercises good health and personal hygiene practices. 

6. Adheres to agency’s dress code/uniform policy. Maintains an appearance that projectsa professional image. 

7. Maintains satisfactory attendance. 

8. Deals with conflict situations in a professional manner. 

9. Identifies and progresses toward meeting personal and professional goals. 

10. Demonstrates awareness of patient care and agency needs by accepting additionalassignments, visits, etc.

C. HUMAN RELATIONS 

1. Must maintain a professional attitude and demeanor and be able to communicateeffectively and relate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers,colleagues, supervisors, co-workers and all others. 

2. Must be able to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to workconstructively with other health care team members which reflect concern for thewell-being of patients and employees.

D. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (See Attached Physical Requirements Form) 

1. This position requires the LPN to work in a variety of environments (housing styles,cleaning and maintenance, heating and cooling) as the nurse visits patients in theirplace of residence. The nurse must travel to patients’ homes in varying weather androad conditions. 

2. Visual/hearing ability must be sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication. 

3. The LPN must have ability sufficient to ambulate throughout a patient's home,navigating stairs and other physical barriers typical to private residences. 

4. The LPN must be able to operate a motor vehicle and travel to and visit in patient’shomes in varying weather and road conditions. 

5. Must be able to deal effectively with stress

E. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

1. Education: Must be a graduate of an accredited Licensed Practical Nursing program. 

2. Experience:One year of experience in acute care, previous home health experience preferred. 

3. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification: 

i. Must possess current license as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the State of Ohioor made application for same. 

ii. Must possess valid driver’s license. 

iii. Must have the use of an automobile in good working condition and automobileinsurance. 

iv. Maintains current CPR certification.