LPN Home Health

Responsibilities

• Performs and monitors basic patient care according to policies and procedures
• Uses nursing process including assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating to meet the patient’s physical and psychological needs
• Provides a safe and comfortable environment in the patient’s home
• Ensures privacy and demonstrates concern for the dignity of patient in performing all patient care
• Completes assignments in a timely manner
• Communicates patient care problems or potential problems to the primary RN, Administrative Staff and/or other IDT members as identified/occur to assure continuity and coordination of care
• Maintains patient confidentiality according to policies and procedures
• Functions effectively as a LPN in respect to organization, communication, and prioritization
• Completes and documents full system assessment, including assessment of level of physical and psychosocial aspects and identifies age‑specific criteria upon admission and each visit thereafter
• Understands pathophysiologic process by taking appropriate nursing action in accordance with changes in patient condition (collaborates with primary RN)
• Develops and upgrades problem list based upon continuing assessment with RN and record/update care plan
• Reports significant observed changes in patient condition to primary RN and Administrative Staff and/or physician
• Follows a plan of care based on the assessed findings and update under physician orders and primary RN
• Documents patient status and care or services furnished in appropriate areas as defined by the documentation policy and procedure
• Provides appropriate documentation of nursing intervention, patient response, effectiveness, complications and other pertinent information with RN supervision
• Performs CPR when directed by patients’ wishes/appropriate representative
• Demonstrates bag technique per policy and procedure
• Observes, documents and takes appropriate action and notifies RN/Administrative staff of the following conditions: skin condition, venous condition, extremity circulation and mobility; complication with infiltration, phlebitis, infection, circulatory overload and abnormal s/s; allergic reaction
• Performs the following treatments/procedures according to specific standards: vital signs; patient weights; specimen collection, ostomy care, urethral catheterization and pressure wound care; dressing changes; oral suction; ROM; bladder training; bowel training; patient ambulation/transfer and positioning; pacemaker; diabetes
• Performs and monitors patient teaching according to the policy and procedures; anticipates, modifies and adapts the teaching plan to accommodate the patient and family; evaluates the effectiveness of the plan on a regular basis
• Coordinates care so that medications are administered as ordered by a physician and in compliance with the Medication Administration Standards; reports findings of discrepancies to the primary RN and Administrative staff
• Collaborates with the primary RN in order to facilitate a change in the level of care in compliance with the change in level of care standard; reports changes in level of care to primary RN and Administrative staff
• Understands the stages of death and dying as it relates to home health patients; understands nursing care needed for terminally ill, acutely ill patient; performs post mortem care as needed
• LPNs are responsible for the following technical skills and duties: IV Therapy including Ports, PICCs, TLC catheters, sterile dressing changes, antibiotic therapy‑no PPIs, TPN and Chemo Infusions, no titration of pain pumps; LPN cannot pull PICC; Wound vacs, all aspects of sterile wound care, Pleurx drain care, Ostomy care, Trach care, Gtube care, and Foley and sup