job-duties-lpn

LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE (LPN)

The Licensed Practical Nurse is a licensed professional who works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or physician to provide nursing care to the clients as directed by the physician’s plan of care. The goal of nursing care in the home is to assist the client and family/significant caregiver by helping the client become as independent as possible through the maintenance of the highest level of health possible. Home health care/practical nursing means assisting individuals or groups of individuals to promote, maintain, or restore optimal health throughout the life process by: observing, reporting, and recording health status; participating in planning, implementing, and evaluating the nursing plan of care; and by meeting nursing performance standards with therapists, social workers, dietitians, registered nurses, and home health aides, and contributing to the evaluation of care and treatments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS – LPN:

• Assists Registered Nurse or Physician in the development and implementation of the nursing care plan in coordination with the physician’s plan of treatment for the client with stated outcomes of care.
• Assists in the initiation of and provides ongoing preventative/restorative and rehabilitative nursing procedures and treatments as appropriate for the client’s care and safety observing state and federal laws as well as professional standards of care.
• Observes, identifies, and documents any signs and symptoms of changes in the client’s physical, emotional/mental, and social condition, reactions to treatments and medications, and environmental safety factors and reports significant findings promptly to the supervising nurse.
• Assists to evaluate in an on‐going manner the home health care needs of the client, including diet and medications, equipment, supplies, and other resources necessary to meet those needs including any safety measures.
• Teaches the client and/or caregivers in the home regarding the nursing care needs and other related problems of home health care.
• Maintains accurate and timely records and observes confidentiality of the medical record.
• Attends staff and interdisciplinary staff meetings, nurses’ meetings, and in‐services as scheduled.
• Assists with ambulation and transfers.
• Assists with range of motion exercises when appropriate instruction has been given and plan of care has been established by the RN or PT/OT.
• Reports immediately to the nurse supervisor any changes in the client’s condition.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Consumer Direct Care Network Montana Nursing (CDCN) reserves the right to change the job description without input from the employee.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and licensed as an RN or LPN.
• Experience in home health preferred.
• Required compliance with State of Montana requirements for current licensure as a registered or licensed practical nurse.
• Completion of self-declaration for Knowledge/Skills/Competency Checklist.
• Completion of any required competency testing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent documentation and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and interdependently.
• Evidence of past negative TB test.
• Maintain current CPR certification.
• Other:
  • Complete employment process.
  • Provide references.
  • Comply with OSHA requirements.
  • Adhere to professional/industry standards of practice/care.
  • Uphold professional/industry ethics.
  • Must have a current Montana driver’s license and valid automobile insurance.
  • Must have reliable transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

Primarily works in the area where hired. Local area travel will be required, occasional long-distance travel may be requested; the person will be required to provide his or her own transportation. Must have access to a telephone.