Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

About the role

The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct nursing care to residents and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by nursing assistants. Supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the facility, and as required by the Director of Nursing to ensure the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day functions of nursing assistants in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines governing the long-term care facility.
• Ensure nursing personnel comply with written policies and procedures established by the facility.
• Periodically review department policies, procedure manuals, and job descriptions; recommend revisions.
• Meet with assigned nursing staff and support personnel to plan shifts’ services, programs, and activities.
• Ensure the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflects daily nursing procedures.
• Ensure all nursing service personnel comply with procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning shift activities as required.
• Coordinate nursing services with other resident services to maintain the resident’s total regimen of care.
• Ensure nursing service personnel comply with their respective job descriptions.
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility’s quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
• Participate in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies when requested.
• Periodically review residents’ written discharge plans and participate in updating them as required.
• Assist in planning the nursing services portion of residents’ discharge plans as necessary.
• Interpret department policies and procedures to personnel, residents’ visitors, and government agencies as required.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required.
• Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.
• Write resident charge slips and forward to the Business Office.
• Maintain the Daily Census Report and submit to the Business Office as required.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, and charting as necessary.
• Complete and file required recordkeeping forms/charts upon resident admission, transfer, and/or discharge; maintain compliance with the center’s medical records system.
• Encourage attending physicians to review treatment plans, record and sign orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies.
• Receive telephone orders from physicians and record on the Physicians’ Order Form.
• Transcribe physician’s orders to resident charts, cardex, medication cards, treatment/care plans as required.
• Chart nurses’ notes in an informative and descriptive manner reflecting care provided and residents’ responses.
• Fill out and complete accident/incident reports and submit to Director as required.
• Chart all reports of accidents/incidents involving residents following established procedures.
• Record new/changed diet orders and forward information to the Dietary Department.
• Report discrepancies noted concerning physician’s orders, diet changes, charting errors, etc., to the Nurse Supervisor.
• Fill out and complete transfer forms in accordance with established procedures.
• Ensure appropriate documentation concerning unauthorized discharges is entered in the resident’s medical record following established procedures.
• Perform routine charting duties in accordance with established charting and documentation policies and procedures.
• Sign and date all entries made in the resident’s medical record.
• Prepare and administer medications as ordered by the physician.
• Verify the identity of the resident before administering medication/treatment.
• Ensure prescribed medication for one resident is not administered to another.
• Ensure an adequate supply of floor stock medications, supplies, and equipment is on hand to meet residents’ needs; report needs to the Nurse Supervisor.
• Order prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment as necessary and in accordance with established policies.
• Ensure narcotic records are accurate for your shift; notify the Nurse Supervisor of all drug and narcotic discrepancies noted.
• Review medication cards for completeness, accuracy in transcription of physician’s orders, and adherence to stop order policies.
• Notify the attending physician of automatic stop orders prior to the last dosage being administered.
• Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required and in accordance with established procedures.
• Participate in employee performance evaluations and determine shift staffing requirements; make recommendations to the Nurse Supervisor concerning employee dismissals, transfers, etc.
• Inform the Nurse Supervisor of staffing needs when assigned personnel fail to report to work; report absentee call-ins.
• Review and evaluate the department’s workforce and make recommendations to the Nurse Supervisor.
• Develop work assignments and/or assist in completing and performing such assignments.
• Provide leadership to nursing personnel assigned to your unit/shift.
• Make daily rounds to ensure nursing service personnel perform work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards; report problem areas to the Nurse Supervisor.
• Ensure all nurse aide trainees are under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
• Meet regularly with shift nursing personnel to identify and correct problem areas and improve services.
• Ensure department personnel, residents, and visitors follow established policies and procedures at all times.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-departmental and other facility departments to ensure nursing services meet residents’ needs.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, positive emphasis, and calm environment throughout the unit and shift.
• Review complaints and grievances made by assigned personnel; make appropriate reports to the Nurse Supervisor as required.
• Ensure departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.
• Receive/give the nursing report upon reporting in and ending shift duty hours.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policies governing accidents and incidents.
• Inform nursing personnel of new admissions, expected arrival times, and room assignments; ensure rooms are ready for new admissions.
• Participate in the orientation of new residents and family members to the facility.
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary.
• Requisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services as ordered by the physician and in accordance with established procedures.
• Consult with the resident’s physician in providing care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessary.
• Review the resident’s chart for specific treatments, medication orders, diets, etc., as necessary.
• Implement and maintain established nursing objectives and standards in accordance with the plan of care.
• Make periodic checks to ensure certified nursing assistants properly administer prescribed treatments and evaluate residents’ physical and emotional status.
• Coordinate social and activity programs with nursing service schedules.
• Notify the resident’s attending physician and next-of-kin when there is a change in the resident’s condition.
• Carry out restorative and rehabilitative programs, including self-help and care.
• Inspect nursing service treatment areas daily to ensure they are maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Administer professional services such as catheterization, tube feedings, suction, applying and changing dressings/bandages, colostomy and drainage bags, taking blood, giving massages and range of motion exercises, care for the dead/dying, etc., as required and authorized within the scope of practice for LPNs as defined by the Ohio Nurse Practice Act.
• Use restraints when necessary and in accordance with established policies and the plan of care.
• Obtain sputum, urine, and other specimens for lab tests as ordered.
• Take and record TPRs, blood pressures, etc., as necessary.
• Monitor seriously ill residents as necessary.
• Check foods brought into the facility by residents’ family/visitors to ensure they are within the resident’s dietary allowances; report problem areas to the Nurse Supervisor and Dietary Supervisor.
• Ensure personnel providing direct care to residents provide such care in accordance with the resident’s care plan and wishes.
• Ensure residents who are unable to call for help are checked frequently.
• Meet with residents and/or family members as necessary; report problem areas to the Nurse Supervisor.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as necessary.
• Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents as necessary.
• Ensure discharged residents are escorted to the pick-up area.
• Inform family members of a resident’s death; call funeral homes when requested by the family; ensure established post-mortem procedures are followed.

Skills

• Licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Ohio.
• Proficiency in medication administration, documentation, and compliance with nursing standards.
• Ability to supervise nursing assistants and ensure adherence to policies and procedures.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to coordinate care and interact with residents, families, physicians, and staff.
• Attention to detail in charting, recordkeeping, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Ability to perform clinical tasks within the scope of practice defined by the Ohio Nurse Practice Act.