Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

SUMMARY:  A licensed practical nurse, or LPN, provides direct nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.  The LPN is a part of a team based approach to care coordination and is responsible for assisting in the delivery of health care and patient care management.  The LPN performs nursing functions as approved by LPN licensure through direct patient care. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Gives direct nursing care to assigned patients in conformance with nursing techniques and procedures as stated in Policy and Procedure Manual;
• Collects blood specimens from patients of all age groups and physical conditions by venipuncture or capillary technique as outlined by the Phlebotomy Manual.
• Labels each specimen completely and accurately, as outlined in the Phlebotomy Manual, and legibly, such that the Accessioning Department can read everything on the label.
• Completes test request forms completely and accurately.  Also verifies client/patient test orders and client/patient billing information by telephone when necessary.
• Centrifuges blood specimens as required by protocol and prepares specimens to maintain specimen integrity for transport to the appropriate laboratory or staging area.
• Completes all required documentation on the same day as event requiring the documentation
• Carries out patient’s plan of care within health center policy, procedures, and legal limitations;
• Carries out proper procedure for basic life support, fire, disaster, and infection control;
• Actively participates in cost containment by conserving supplies and equipment and initiating patient charges;
• Attends required meetings and participates in in-services and continuing education programs to keep current of trends in nursing care;
• Participates in monitoring and evaluating the quality of nursing care provided;
• Implements the outlined plan of care, consistently, effectively to maintain the patient at the highest achievable level of health;
• Works in collaboration with patients’ providers to share information relevant to the patient’s changing plan of care, questions, and seeks clarification of unclear providers orders;
• Adheres to and enforces health center and nursing policies and procedures relating to the safety of patients and employees;
• Recognizes life-threatening situations and responds appropriately;
• Adheres to the delegated criteria of Laboratory, X-ray and Medical Acts policy and procedures;
• Participates in performance and training of OSHA Infection Control and Safety and adheres to the policies and procedures;
• Performs other necessary duties as required to meet the goal of providing primary health care services.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Successfully completed and passed the licensed practical nurse exam.  Experience in public health and/or outpatient service.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate with patients and family members of various educational, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to apply concepts of basic mathematics

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to participate in problem solving and implement appropriate steps for problem resolution under the RN supervision.  Ability to carry out a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.  Ability to exercise sound judgement.

COMPETENCY/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

Competency required in the areas of communication, excellent verbal and written skills, and ability to perform duties per age specific nursing protocols. CPR certified.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Current North Carolina LPN License.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to operate basic office/medical equipment.  Ability to assess and visually present data.  Ability to deal effectively with stress and to work under pressure.  Word processing and general computer skills.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical/mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance on two feet, stoop, kneel, crouch, or reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move patients of varying weight.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands include the ability to learn, adapt to changes, and become proficient quickly, pay close attention to details, courteous and professional behavior, ability to work effectively in stressful working conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.