Sr. Licensed Practical Nurse

Responsibilities

• Function as a member of the health-care team by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, experience in nursing and competency.
• Participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care using focused assessment in settings where nursing takes place.
• Communicate with a licensed professional nurse and the patient's health care team members to seek guidance when: the patient's care needs exceed the licensed practical nursing scope of practice; the patient's care needs surpass the LPN's knowledge, skill or ability; the patient's condition deteriorates or there is a significant change in condition, the patient is not responding to therapy, the patient becomes unstable or the patient needs immediate assistance.
• Obtain instruction and supervision if implementing new or unfamiliar nursing practices or procedures.
• Follow the written, established policies and procedures of UPMC, UPMC LPN Practice Guidelines, and the State Practice Act.
• Act within the LPN Practice guidelines including IVs and within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment.
• Formulate daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner.
• Communicate the patient's condition to other care providers.
• Ensure patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers.
• Incorporate national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction of the patient experience in daily work.
• Create a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
• Actively participate in unit activities and provide assistance to care team members.
• Provide detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home.
• Support the orientation and development of new LPNs and patient care support staff.
• Regularly seek feedback on performance and apply continuous professional improvement.
• Support continuous learning in the clinical areas by participating in organizational and system programs.
• Identify opportunities for clinical quality as well as workplace improvement.
• Participate in the development, revision and implementation of policies and procedures designed to ensure comfort and safety of patients in collaboration with other health care personnel.
• Seek and participate in opportunities to assist in identification process improvement opportunities to improve patient care.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues.
• Demonstrate an understanding of cultural differences and hold peers accountable for healthy relationships.
• Maintain a conscious balance between work and personal life, model safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyle.
• Communicate with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
• Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Successful completion and graduation from a Licensed Practical Nursing Program approved by the State Board of Nursing.
• 2 years of experience required.
• Successful completion of an IV therapy curriculum required within 4 months of hire/transfer. Must commit to obtain within 4 months of hire/transfer within 30 days of start. If graduated in 2012 to present day, IV therapy curriculum is included in the PA State Board Approved Programs. If graduated prior to 2012, the LPN will need to provide official proof of completion of IV therapy approved program.
• Must take nurse assignment at the top of LPN license in a med/surg/tele or Emergency Department setting.
• Must select and complete 2 contributions annually that will assist in improving patient care OR must have and maintain a UPMC approved certification and also select and complete 1 contribution.

Qualifications

• Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by the assigned unit.
• Knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities to improve patient care and encompasses collaboration with the health care team and the patients and families to achieve desired patient outcomes.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families.
• Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment.
• Mobility and visual manual dexterity.
• Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients.
• Computer skills required to utilize the electronic health record.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• LPN must maintain state licensure where they are practicing or in a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the state where the facility is located.
• If graduated prior to 2012, the LPN will need to provide official proof of completion of IV therapy approved program within 4 months of hire/transfer.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIH) due within 90 days of hire or transfer.
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license.
• Act 34 clearance.
• OAPS clearance.
• Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

Schedule

• UPMC offers a variety of flexible options – in addition to traditional rotating/flexible shifts.
• Special programs exist to work primarily night shifts or weekend shifts with a premium pay differential.
• Employees hired as or who choose to transition into one of these programs at a later time must have at least 6 months of nursing experience to qualify and may be required to complete any necessary orientation during regular business hours.
• If you are interested in these programs, please alert your recruiter when you are contacted for an interview.