Licensed Practical Nurse

Purpose

To perform a combination of skilled professional nursing tasks and provide palliative and supportive care to the patient and family unit under the supervision of the RN Case Manager according to Florida’s Nurse Practice Act.

Qualifications

• Current and active LPN license in the state of Florida.
• Two (2) years’ experience in patient care, either in an acute care setting, long-term care or home health agency. Hospice experience preferred.
• Must be Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN) within 12 months.
• Knowledge regarding application of the nursing process, including data collection, assisting with the planning phase intervention and evaluation of nursing care.
• Must be computer literate.
• Must have a current and valid Florida driver’s license with current auto insurance.
• Must hold a current (BLS) CPR certification.

Expectations

• Provide program development strategies for Treasure Coast Hospice, in an organized, routine capacity that will enable the cohesion of team developments. Work collaboratively with other departments, demonstrate and encourage leadership for a comprehensive approach to program development. Inspire staff to live the Treasure Coast Hospice’s Mission, to achieve its Vision, and demonstrate our Values and Commitment. Be current in legal and compliance hospice issues.
• To meet or exceed identifiable standards for the position.

Key Result Areas

• Responsible for upholding Treasure Coast Hospice/Model Standards for patient visits and compliant documentation.
• Clearly understanding and adhering to each Standard.
• Motivate and lead self with confidence, energy and integrity.
• Understanding of and ability to execute routine Hospice Nursing: crisis intervention, communication skills, teaching skills, thanatology skills and needs.
• Under the supervision of the RN Case Manager, provide skilled professional nursing care to the patient and family unit incorporating physical, psychosocial, spiritual, cultural, and biological components.
• Utilize the nursing process, demonstrate accurate data collection, and assist in the planning, implementation and delivery of clinical care services.
• Implement the nursing plan of care in accordance to the physician orders and under the RN Case Manager.
• Provide appropriate pain and symptom management, including the patient’s response to treatment and medications.
• Provide professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process as determined in the Plan of Care.
• Document patient care which reflects nursing intervention, patient's response to care and progress towards goals as set in the Plan of Care.
• Communicate with the physician and IDT all pertinent information from data collected and the status of the patient and family unit.
• Administer medications which include controlled substances, in accordance to physician orders and TCH policy and procedures.
• Assists with the destruction of medications that are considered narcotic in nature and all other medication that is no longer being used in accordance with TCH policy.
• Administer medications according to TCH policy and procedures, to include for the patients response and effectiveness of medications, and document accordingly.
• Perform or assist in all ADL care and activities to include, but not limited to, feeding, bathing and grooming.
• Obtain vital signs, document and report any abnormal findings to the RN Case Manager.
• Maintain a high level of urgency, customer consciousness and service excellence.
• Participate as an active supporter of the Treasure Coast Hospice compliance program, including the emphasis to report, as well as complying with all Federal, State and Local laws as well as the organization’s compliance program.
• Fulfill all responsibilities related to the success of the strategic plan of the organization as requested and assigned.

OSHA Category

Position will be categorized as category I (involves routine exposure to blood and body fluids/tissues).

Working Conditions

• Standing
• Sitting
• Walking
• Lifting (raising or lowering without mechanical aids) 50 lbs.
• Pushing or pulling
• Carrying objects
• Climbing (ascending or descending stairs or ladders)
• Crouching (bending at the knees)
• Kneeling (resting on bended knees)
• Crawling (moving about on the hands and knees)
• Stooping (bending at the waist)
• Reaching (extending hands and arms in any direction)
• Handling (seizing, holding, grasping or turning objects)
• Typing, picking, pinching or otherwise working with fingertips
• Using arm muscles frequently
• Using leg muscles frequently or for extended periods
• Transferring patients: transfer from bed to chair, transfer from chair to bed and transfer from chair to toilet
• Driving from location to location