Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

About the Role

The Licensed Practical Nurse performs a variety of duties to provide quality nursing care to residents and coordinates total nursing care. This role involves establishing specific goals with the Director of Nursing and Unit Managers, ensuring compliance with operating policies, Michigan Department of Health regulations, and Federal Health Care Administration regulations. The LPN also communicates with and supervises appropriate personnel, provides daily and periodic reports, and performs all duties of a Certified Nurse Aide when required.

Responsibilities

• Assess resident conditions to implement intervention and develop Care Plans.
• Accurately record resident observations in PCC and follow through on Care Plans.
• Ensure facility medical records policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Make regular rounds of residents independently and with a physician; observe and evaluate resident symptoms, progress, and reactions to treatments and medications, implementing interventions as necessary.
• Provide preventative, supportive, maintenance, and rehabilitative care directed to the physiologic and psychosocial needs and well-being of residents.
• Perform a variety of treatments, including changing dressings, cleansing and/or irrigating wounds and incisions, performing Foley Catheter irrigations, IV therapy, and administering tube feedings, chest tubes, and peritoneal dialysis.
• Request and ensure supplies and medical equipment are available to perform care and treatments.
• Schedule appointments, physicians, therapy, and consults; document in appointment book.
• Monitor and assist CNAs with personal resident care duties such as bathing, feeding, and assisting with ambulation.
• Receive report from outgoing nurse and make rounds to see each resident daily and as needed.
• Administer medications to residents according to the Public Health Code, Nursing Department Policies, and standards and procedures as prescribed by the physician; notify appropriate clinical and/or nursing personnel of medication contraindications.
• Advise residents and/or responsible persons regarding changes in medications, treatment plans, and resident condition.
• Manage and document emergency care of residents, coordinating communications to physicians, responsible persons, DON, Administrator, hospital personnel, emergency transport, and other appropriate personnel.
• Perform comprehensive and focused nursing assessments in conjunction with changes in condition and scheduled programs.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents; ensure supplies and equipment are available prior to or at the time of admission.
• Complete weekly, periodic, and discharge summaries.
• Perform quality improvement activities as assigned by the Director of Nursing.
• Monitor rate of accident/incidents occurrences and infection rate on the unit; develop suggestions for corrective action.
• Weekly perform skin assessments to monitor occurrence of pressure injuries or other skin conditions; provide the Director of Nursing written data on the number of occurrences.
• Report resident and staff complaints, unusual occurrences, and allegations of abuse/misappropriation or neglect to the Director of Nursing or Administrator immediately.
• Participate in periodic regulatory surveys by the State of Michigan and prepare the Plan of Correction response to an inspection survey.
• Complete and report resident injury to Unit Manager.
• Understand all aspects of residents’ rights, including the right to be free of restraints and abuse; promptly report incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of residents’ rights.
• Know and support facility philosophy, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate with department heads as needed to problem solve and plan for more effective patient care; inform Director of Nursing when staffing requirements are not met.
• Present a professional appearance and serve as a unit role model.
• Maintain professional requirements for continuing education and staff development by participating in work-related seminars.
• Promote compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and control worker’s compensation costs.
• Ensure equipment is used safely and report maintenance concerns to the Environment Plant Manager; adhere to the Nurse Practice Act.
• Attend staff meetings and in-services as requested.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Requirements

• Current Michigan license as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
• CPR certification required.
• Two years of professional nursing experience in the long-term care setting is preferred.
• Knowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a long-term care setting.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Basic computer knowledge is required.

Other Requirements

• Tolerate frequent exposure to blood, body tissues, and fluids with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases.
• Frequent exposure to chemicals and latex, and plastic materials used for personal protective equipment.
• Manual dexterity required to operate modern office equipment.
• Ability to travel as needed or assigned.