LPN - High Tech - Home Health and Hospice

To provide skilled high-tech nursing care to technology-dependent individuals in a home care setting and in accordance with an established nursing plan of care. There is often a need to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in nursing (or other appropriate discipline)
• Minimum two or more years of directly related home/public health, hospice, and/or high-tech nursing experience
• Current LPN licensure or compact licensure recognized by the State of Vermont
• Must demonstrate and maintain any required competency
• Able to speak, read, and write in English
• Honest, self-directed, possess initiative, display good judgment, and a positive attitude toward daily activities
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in written work
• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with the organization’s employees, clients, customers, and the general public
• Satisfactory standing with the Adult Abuse Registry, Child Abuse & Neglect Registry, Vermont Criminal Information Center, and OIG
• Free from the illegal use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace
• Ability to carry out the functions of this job without risk of harm to the health and safety of self and others
• Valid driver’s license and a reliable, registered vehicle with insurance as required by the organization

Working Conditions

• Traveling may be required
• May work in community-based settings, clients’ homes, and outdoors
• May work during non-business hours
• May experience:
  • Hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, visitors, and staff
  • Stress due to a demanding profession
  • Exposure to blood-borne pathogens
  • Variety of environmental exposures such as inclement weather, animals, firearms, tobacco use, dust, and other client-based activities and preferences

Essential Physical Requirements

• Must walk, sit, stand, bend, lift, and move intermittently during working hours
• Ability to push, pull, and lift from the floor, up to a total of 50 pounds, and move with the weight according to the organization’s standards
• Climbing: ability to navigate stairs of varying heights and degrees
• Balancing: ability to maintain balance
• Kneeling, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching below waist level, reaching overhead, and reaching torso level
• Manual finger dexterity: needed to perform duties and use equipment
• Visual acuity: sufficient eyesight to drive a car, use office equipment, and perform duties
• Auditory acuity: ability to assist individuals in person and by telephone

Responsibilities

• Provide direct high-tech nursing care to patients under minimal personal and procedural clinical supervision, following an established nursing plan of care, including:
  • Ongoing assessment of patient’s physical and family’s psycho/social health status
  • Ventilator monitoring and care, tracheostomy care, use and care of feeding tubes, and other technical procedures
  • Administration of medications
  • Assisting with general exercise and specific physical therapy regimens
  • Family teaching and support, exercise and physical therapy needs, medical procedures they can do at home, and methods of carrying out daily living activities
• Discuss patients’ status, problems, and needs with family members, and educate family members about patients’ illnesses, treatment, and care
• Confer regularly with case manager and/or other clinical staff (physical/occupational/speech therapists, etc.) involved with cases to discuss changes in patient status and care plan
• Report changes in patients’ status to clinical manager and physician as appropriate
• Prepare all required clinical and administrative documentation related to assigned activities, adhering to all relevant legal regulations, technical requirements of government agencies, internal procedures, and professional standards
• Participate in a variety of formal and informal orientation, training, and staff development programs and activities to:
  • Expand clinical nursing knowledge and skills pertinent to home care nursing in general
  • Acquire specific skills in specialty areas such as hospice
  • Gain a better understanding of the mission and goals of the University of Vermont Health Network Home Health & Hospice
  • Keep abreast of relevant new clinical/technical developments in the field
• Adhere to established protocols, guidelines, and professional standards for Registered Nurse care while exercising substantial clinical judgment regarding the most effective method of caring for the patient within the framework of patients’ care plans, consulting with senior clinical staff regarding unusual situations
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Professional Accountability

• Demonstrates a commitment to the mission and values of the organization
• Complies with all organization policies and procedures
• Demonstrates respectful and effective communication in all interactions
• Protects the privacy and confidentiality of clients, co-workers, and organization’s operations
• Complies with organization’s policies to protect confidentiality, integrity, availability, and security of all protected health information
• Conducts him/herself in a safe manner by adhering to all safety practices, rules, and standards
• Demonstrates a commitment to quality and proactively seeks to make improvements to systems and processes
• Reports to work on time, provides advance notice for time off, accurately reports time and attendance, and appropriately manages paid time off (if applicable) in accordance with organization’s policy
• Demonstrates a commitment to integrity in work habits and use of organization’s resources
• Performs duties as assigned that may be outside his/her principle responsibilities
• Meets own learning needs; participates in educational programs of the organization, including completion of all mandatory competencies, education, or training
• Effectively communicates to transfer information, provide guidance, and resolve conflicts
• Reports concerns and complaints regarding abuse, neglect, and exploitation in accordance with Vermont State Law and the organization
• Enhances or improves organization’s services by participating in team meetings, projects, and committees
• Contributes to a positive work environment and responds in a constructive manner to change
• Documents the provision of care and services in accordance with organization’s policy