PRN LPN Home Health

Responsible for the direct and indirect nursing care of patients in the home under the supervision of an RN. In collaboration with the patient, family, and health care team, the LPN will implement and evaluate the nursing care with the RN according to established systems and functions.

Qualifications

• Current Licensed Practical Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Licensed Practical Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
• Valid driver’s license.
• CPR certification within 30 days of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of Home Care Nursing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs and monitors basic patient care according to policies and procedures.
• Uses the 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, ensuring privacy and demonstrating concern for the dignity of the patient.
• Completes assignments in a timely manner.
• Communicates patient care problems or potential problems to the primary RN, Administrative Staff, and/or other IDT members to assure continuity and coordination of care.
• Maintains patient confidentiality according to policies and procedures.
• Functions effectively as an LPN with respect to organization, communication, and prioritization.
• Completes and documents full system assessment, including physical and psychosocial aspects, identifying age-specific criteria upon admission and each visit thereafter.
• Understands pathophysiologic processes by taking appropriate nursing actions in accordance with changes in patient condition (collaborates with primary RN).
• Develops and updates the problem list based on continuing assessment with RN and records/updates the care plan.
• Reports significant observed changes in patient condition to the primary RN, Administrative Staff, and/or physician.
• Follows a plan of care based on assessed findings and updates under physician orders and primary RN supervision.
• Documents patient status and care or services furnished in appropriate areas as defined by 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 for the following conditions, notifying RN/Administrative staff:
  • Skin condition, venous condition, extremity circulation, and mobility.
  • Complications with infiltration, phlebitis, infection, circulatory overload, and abnormal signs/symptoms.
  • Allergic reactions.
• Performs the following treatments/procedures according to specific standards:
  • Vital signs and 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 and diabetes management.
• Performs and monitors patient teaching according to policy and procedures, anticipating, modifying, and adapting the teaching plan to accommodate the patient and family.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the teaching 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 to facilitate a change in the level of care in compliance with the change in level of care standard.
• Understands the stages of death and dying as it relates to home health patients and the nursing care needed for terminally ill, acutely ill patients.
• Performs post-mortem care as needed.
• Performs 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, G-tube care, Foley, and suprapubic catheters.
  • LPN cannot remove OnQ pain pump removal (placed by ortho).
  • Labs via peripheral and central access, Revolution Device changes.
  • Complete head-to-toe assessments.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and feeling are necessary body movements utilized in performing nursing duties throughout the work shift.
• Must be able to lift, move, and position patients of all weights, with varying amounts of assistance in a fair manner on a regular and recurring basis.
• Hearing within normal range is required (e.g., to assess breath sounds, bowel sounds, apical pulse, monitors).
• Visual acuity must be within normal range.
• Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle safely.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Exposure to bodily fluids, human tissues, contagious diseases, sharps, and explosive gases.
• Exposure to toxic gases, fumes, and odors.
• Exposure to high stress and constant interruptions.
• Exposure to electrical current and radiation from x-rays.
• Exposure to bad road conditions, wind, rain, snow, sleet, mud, high and low temperatures, animals, and insects, and hazardous roadways.
• The majority of work is performed in the patient’s home and may require extensive travel.
• Subject to unpredictable situations and may be exposed to adverse or unpleasant home environments.

Skills

• RN performs the initial assessment upon admission, and the LPN does continuing assessments, implementing and evaluating patient care with the RN according to policy using judgment to determine physical, psychological, and social needs.
• Demonstrates competency in technical and clinical skills, completes skills checklist, and correctly performs these skills daily as required.
• Administers medications by all acceptable routes as ordered by a physician and authorized by RN according to accepted policy and procedure.
• Communicates plan of care and patient needs effectively in a multi-disciplinary fashion to all involved persons and/or departments.
• Anticipates teaching needs of each patient, modifying, adapting, executing, and evaluating the plan regularly.
• Ability to perform concentrated and complex mental activity with frequent involvement in complex and highly technical situations.
• Ability to work successfully under highly stressful conditions and adapt to varying workloads and work assignments on a constant basis.
• Ability to make sound, independent judgments based on scientific principles and collaborate with other multi-disciplinary team members appropriately.
• Ability to comprehend and perform oral and written instructions and procedures.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Math skills to enable calculation of drug dosages and infusion rates.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to patient rights.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and all shifts.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with safety policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations/laws.