LPN - General Surgical Unit, 5S

About the Role

Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) administers compassionate care by maintaining standards of nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients and families. Encourages team members and supports their contribution. Supervises Patient Care Assistants (PCAs), PCAs/Unit Secretaries (US), ED Clerical/PCA, Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS), and/or Technicians.

Responsibilities

• Performs basic and/or advanced nursing tasks, as appropriate for the department/unit.
• Provides and documents patient (and significant other) education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.
• Records and reports to the RN all observed abnormal and/or significant findings, including but not limited to symptoms, abnormal drainage, reactions, responses to treatments, medications, and changes in the patient’s condition.
• Documents all patient care activities and/or observations according to policies and procedures.
• Supports the care team with the patient discharge process.
• Collects and documents data on each assigned patient on an ongoing basis, including but not limited to normal systems review, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors for all age groups: neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric.
• Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures, and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.
• Performs initial and annual competency per job class.
• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Adheres to DCH Behavioral Standards, including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues, and self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors, and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors, and employees.
• Uses electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Current Alabama LPN License required.
• As of March 1, 2019, current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required.
• Basic computer skills to support the use of electronic medical records, email, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
• Ability to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

Working Conditions

Work Context

• Communicate with different personalities and engage in face-to-face discussions.
• Deal with unpleasant or physically aggressive personalities.
• Handle conflict effectively.
• Communicate clearly and accurately.
• Receive delegation and work in groups.
• Perform structured and unstructured work.
• Meet time pressure and deadlines.
• Perform tasks in an exact and accurate manner.
• Use electronic mail, telephone, and texting.
• Possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals, hazardous materials, and/or cleaning solutions.
• Requires wearing common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, masks, and gowns.

Physical Factors

• Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Reach reasonable distances in any direction.
• Stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, stoop, and lift.
• Run in an emergency.
• Move fingers in a coordinated manner and perceive temperature, texture, shape, and size with fingertips.
• Perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Possess stamina to work a 12-hour shift.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.