Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-IV LTAC, 3 South, Nights

Job Description

At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.

As the region's adult academic health system, we strive for innovation and provide world-class care for not only our community, but patients from all over the world. Join our team and you'll be able to develop your skills, grow your career, build relationships with your peers and patients, and help us be a source of hope for our friends and neighbors.

UC Health is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of employment.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is an individual who holds a current state license to practice practical nursing. LPN (IV) will have successfully completed a Board approved basic intravenous therapy course. The LPN, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), performs duties which require a basic knowledge of nursing principles and the ability to perform technical skills in carrying out nursing procedures that are culturally based and age specific.

Responsibilities

PATIENT POPULATION - (CLINICAL ONLY)

• Engages in population appropriate communication. Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks.
• Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment.
• Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment and continuing care of the patient.
• Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.
• Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from, unique psychological needs or those associated with religious / cultural norms.
• Performs treatments, administers medication or operates equipment safely.
• Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

ASSESSMENT:

• Participates in the nursing assessment of the patient by collecting and recording objective data and observations about the physical, psychosocial, spiritual and educational needs of the patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge base of normal age-specific, physiological and psychosocial functions of the unit's population.
• Contributes observations to the basic physical assessment of assigned patients.
• Initiates a nursing admission history upon admission.
• Differentiates between normal and abnormal data, signs and symptoms, and subtle changes related to the patient's presenting problems and potential problems.
• Notifies Physician and RN promptly of pertinent changes in patient's condition.
• Contributes to the evaluation of patient needs each shift and more frequently when indicated by unit standards of care or patient condition.
• Monitors patient and environmental safety continuously. Receives and gives a complete, concise, and timely report on condition of assigned patients.
• Collaborates with other health team members to collect and share pertinent data regarding patient's physiological and psychological condition.
• Observes continuing care needs in preparation for discharge. Observes for need to refer to other health care professionals.

PLANNING:

• Provides input to the RN regarding establishing and prioritizing a list of actual, and potential, individualized age-specific patient problems and/or needs.
• Contributes recommendations to the RN regarding the interdisciplinary plan of care for each assigned patient in a collaborative effort with other health care team members within the time frame indicated by unit's standards of practice.
• Involves patient and/or family in reviewing the mutually agreed upon goals.
• Assures plan of care is consistent with therapy prescribed by the medical practitioner, standards of care, and anticipated length of stay.
• Communicates formulated plan of care, as appropriate, to all levels of associates involved in the patient's care.
• Utilize SHARED format for shift report. Reviews possible modification in plan of care with the RN based on changing patient needs.
• Demonstrates ability to establish priorities of care.
• Contributes to discharge planning upon admission and makes appropriate referrals.
• Attends and participates in patient conferences as indicated.

IMPLEMENTATION:

• Implements plan of care and interventions to provide quality care, under the direction of an RN, based on assessed needs, established standards of care and according to policy and procedures.
• Implements nursing actions based upon patient's plan of care.
• Implements plan of nursing care in collaboration with the patient, significant others, and other health care team members.
• Provides ongoing individualized holistic patient and family education based on needs and plan of care.
• Demonstrates critical thinking in review of physician orders and accountability for appropriate implementation of physician orders.
• Demonstrates responsibility for medication administration as allowed by licensure and institution policy.
• Manages IV as allowed by licensure and institution policy.
• Responds to emergency and other situations requiring immediate attention in a controlled, precise, and skilled manner.
• Makes appropriate referrals to other health care team members in a timely manner.
• Implements safety interventions to maintain patient/family/staff safety.
• Reports actual and potential patient safety issues. Implements measures to prevent contamination and/or transmission of disease.
• Utilizes appropriate protective devices and equipment to prevent injury.

EVALUATION:

• Continuously evaluates nursing practice, in collaboration with the RN, in relation to the standards of care and individual plan of care. Contributes to the evaluation of effectiveness of nursing care interventions. Collaborates with the RN regarding adjusting or continuing with plan of care based on patient's response. Involves patient and other health care team members in evaluation process when appropriate. Maintains continuity of care between shifts and transfers by reporting or following up on patient care needs.

DOCUMENTATION:

• Nursing process is accurately and concisely documented, including the patient's response to nursing interventions.
• Documents timely and according to hospital policy and procedure.
• Completes forms accurately and completely.
• Documents continuation of the plan of care reflective of collaborative practice with other health care team members.
• Documents patient/family teaching and response appropriately.

LEADERSHIP:

• Effectively manages care through others. Demonstrates accountability for getting work done in a timely manner.
• Establishes positive/effective working relationships with coworkers, members of health care team, and other departments.
• Demonstrates flexibility and a cooperative attitude when adjustments are necessary.
• Acts as a resource person for new personnel, floater and/or supplemental staff working on the unit.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Assumes responsibility for personal professional development and contributes to the professional development of peers, colleagues and others.
• Participates in unit staff meetings.
• Utilizes learning opportunities on the unit for improvement of self and others.
• Identifies personal strengths and weaknesses as a professional nurse and maintains individual competency in nursing practice.
• Completes all educational, certification and regulatory requirements, maintaining competency in areas specific to work location.
• Submits required tests and paperwork in a timely manner.
• Supports the implementation of recommendations and changes made to improve patient care at the unit level.
• Utilizes proper channels to express dissatisfaction or concern.
• Evaluates nursing practice by participating in self/peer review and performance improvement activities.
• Familiarizes self with purpose and function of committees of Drake Center and utilizes them to address issues as appropriate.

PRODUCTIVITY:

• Considers factors related to cost and effective outcomes when planning patient care.
• Manages workload effectively. Initiates care in a timely manner.
• Abides by Time & Attendance policy. Supports effective use of staff and supplies.

Qualifications

Education: Graduate of an accredited school of practical nursing. Current license. Successful completion of the requirements necessary to obtain a medication administration card issued by NAPNES, OOPNE or Ohio Board of Nursing.

Required Skills and Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge, abilities and skills to provide culturally-specific patient care and education. Effectively communicates with peers, utilizes appropriate communication channels and maintains confidentiality. Demonstrates continual professional growth.

Licenses and Certifications: Must have IV certification.