LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE

Primary function.

Provides total nursing care to assigned patients, guided by physician orders, the patient care plan, standards of care, policies and procedures, and the registered nurse; documents an accurate record of the patient’s course of treatment based on the patient’s plan of care and disease process.

Duties and responsibilities

• Performs total nursing care based on individualized comprehensive nursing and medical plan of care.

• Performs patient assessment in accordance with the applicable patient type, which may include: Medical, Surgical, Obstetrical, Newborn and or Telemetry/cardiac patients.
• Assists with patient admission and discharge processes as directed by the RN and within scope of practice guidelines.
• Identifies abnormal symptoms/changes in patient’s clinical, mental, or emotional condition reporting findings to the RN.
• Completes patient’s personal hygiene needs, position changes, skin hair, and nail, am/pm care, and ambulation assistance as needed and to meet care plan.
• Discusses patient care plan with RN and updates as indicated. Includes patient, family, and support system in implementation and education of interventions.
• Maintains and performs all patient documentation in a timely, factual, and legible manner.

• Utilizes only approved abbreviations in all documentation.
• Accurately reflects the plan of care.
• Follows all policies and procedures related to documentation requirements.
• Performs Emergency treatment as required.

• Initiates or assists in patient care in an effective and responsive manner as each situation requires.
• Administers and performs emergent care in accordance with the applicable patient type which may range from newborn to geriatric.
• Follows emergency policies and procedures and standards of BLS and NRP.
• Performs intravenous therapy dynamics by following administration principles in an effective manner.

• Effectively handles the operation of various I.V. related equipment, including I.V. pumps.
• Performs IV access skills proficiently.
• Monitors fluid replacement/medication administration input.
• Promotes and ensures patient safety in all aspects of responsibilities.

• Follows procedures and protocols to ensure safe administration of mediations and monitoring for adverse effects.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics, transfer/lifting techniques to minimize fall risk to patient and injury to self.
• Follows procedures for restraints use, use of sitter, etc. .. to ensure patient safety.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications include:

• Graduate of accredited school of practical nursing.
• Currently licensed in the State of Missouri.
• BLS certification required; NRP preferred. If certifications are not current upon hire, must complete within six months.
• IV Therapy Certification

Working conditions

Incumbent will be exposed to virus, disease, infection from patients. May include working variable hours, work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and listen. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position requires intermittent physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping and crouching as well as lifting and supporting patients.