ZG LPN

About the Role

The primary purpose of this position is to provide primary care to specific residents under the medical direction and supervision of the residents’ attending physicians or the Medical Director of the facility. You will emphasize evaluation, observation, data collection, illness prevention, and health care management. You will also assist in modifying the treatment regimen to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of the resident, in accordance with established medical practices, state requirements, and the policies and goals of this facility.

As a Licensed Practical Nurse, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Confer with the Medical Director and attending physician regarding specific residents assigned to you.
• Consult with the physician concerning resident evaluation and assist the Director of Nursing Services in planning and developing nursing services.
• Initiate requests for consultation or referral and respond to requests from residents, physicians, or nursing staff.
• Examine residents and their records to distinguish between normal and abnormal findings, recognizing early stages of serious physical, emotional, or mental problems.
• Determine when to refer residents to a physician for evaluation, supervision, or directions.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, and charting.
• Implement and maintain established policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Interpret policies to physicians, residents, family members, and the public as appropriate.
• Make written and oral reports to the attending physician, Medical Director, or Administrator concerning resident status and care.
• Participate in planning and evaluating written policies and procedures governing nursing services.
• Participate in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies.
• Assist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee in developing and implementing plans to correct identified deficiencies.

Committee Functions

• Serve on the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team and develop comprehensive assessment and care plans for residents.
• Provide written and/or oral reports on resident status as requested by committees.
• Evaluate and implement recommendations from committees related to medical activities and resident care.
• Serve on and participate in various facility committees (e.g., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, Quality Assessment and Assurance).
• Schedule, attend, and develop agendas for Care Plan committee meetings.
• Participate in reviews of Discharge Plans and make them available to the Care Plan Committee.

Personnel Functions

• Cooperate with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee relations.
• Meet with the Medical Director, attending physicians, Director of Nursing Services, and nursing staff concerning resident care.
• Maintain effective working relationships with health professionals, physicians, consultants, and family members.
• Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with facility policies.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals.

Medical Care Functions

• Welcome and orient residents to the environment.
• Provide information and instruction to residents and families about resident rights.
• Perform evaluation, observation, data collection, and diagnostic services for assigned residents.
• Conduct in-depth physical examinations using assessment techniques such as observation, inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.
• Perform optic and ophthalmic examinations.
• Record physical findings and formulate plans and prognosis based on resident conditions; report to attending physicians.
• Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to assess resident clinical problems and health care needs.
• Provide therapeutic services and confer with the Care Planning Team to develop care plans.
• Manage minor illnesses such as colds, diarrhea, skin abrasions, sprains, and foot problems like corns and calluses.
• Provide treatment for uncomplicated conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and pneumonia under established protocols and physician supervision.
• Monitor medical regimens for chronically ill residents, adjust regimens within protocols, and recognize when to refer residents to physicians.
• Provide direct physical and psychological nursing care in emergencies and during illness or disability.
• Coordinate resident admissions and discharges.
• Assist in resident rehabilitation activities, including range of motion, ambulation, and emotional support.
• Provide preventive health care services and recommendations on nutrition and illness prevention.
• Educate residents and families on prevention techniques and ways to maintain or improve health and psychosocial status.

Staff Development

• Participate in planning and conducting in-service training classes on medical skills and procedures.
• Engage in educational programs for residents, families, and the community.
• Assist in developing annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens.
• Assist in developing advance directive in-service training programs for staff and the community.
• Attend continuing education programs to maintain licensure and stay updated on professional changes.
• Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in developing a TB management program.
• Support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs.

Safety and Equipment

• Monitor inventory of medications, medical supplies, and equipment to ensure adequate supply.
• Use personal protective equipment (e.g., masks, gowns, gloves, face shields) as appropriate.
• Ensure adequate supplies of protective equipment are available for personnel.
• Assist in identifying and classifying job-related functions involving potential exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Ensure personnel receive appropriate in-service training before performing tasks with exposure risks.
• Participate in monitoring communicable and infectious diseases, including TB, among residents and personnel.
• Ensure nursing staff follow infection control procedures when isolation precautions are necessary.
• Report all hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Ensure personnel use safety equipment (e.g., back braces, mechanical lifts) when moving or lifting residents.
• Ensure department policy manuals identify safety precautions and equipment for tasks that could cause injuries.

Resident Rights

• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Monitor care provided to residents to ensure they are treated fairly, with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• Report and document resident complaints or grievances regarding medical care and actions taken.
• Ensure all nursing care is provided in privacy and that staff knock before entering resident rooms.
• Ensure nursing staff are knowledgeable about resident responsibilities and rights, including the right to refuse treatment.
• Report and investigate allegations of resident abuse and misappropriation of resident property.
• Honor resident refusal of treatment requests in accordance with facility policies on advance directives.
• Review facility policies and procedures governing advance directives with residents and/or representatives.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas, nursing service areas (e.g., drug rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms).
• Moves intermittently during working hours and is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Interacts with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies, and others under various conditions.
• May be exposed to hostile or emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Communicates with medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal hours, including weekends and holidays, and is on call 24/7.
• May be subject to call-back during emergencies (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster).
• Participates in community and civic health matters as appropriate.
• Attends continuing educational programs.
• May be subject to injury from falls, burns, odors, dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Exposed to infectious waste, diseases, and conditions.