LPN - PRIMARY CARE

Independence Health System; Zelienople (Butler County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System seeks an experienced Licensed Practical Nurse to provide direct and indirect patient care under supervision. You will collect health data, educate patients and families, administer medications, and support the physician practice to ensure safe and effective patient care.

The role requires current PA LPN licensure, BLS certification, and strong communication and leadership abilities in a fast-paced clinical setting with emphasis on quality and patient safety.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited School of Practical Nursing.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Current LPN licensure to practice in Pennsylvania; BLS/CPR certification.
• Preferred: Previous LPN experience.

Responsibilities

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with LPN scope and policies.
• Collects patient health data, including vital signs, weight, chief complaint, and pain assessment.
• Involves patient/family and other health care providers when appropriate.
• Completes patient care treatments and testing as ordered by the physician.
• Administers medications and immunizations using appropriate age-specific techniques.
• Documents all care and education accurately and timely.
• Maintains patient safety and adheres to infection control and regulatory requirements.
• Assists in coordinating care with physicians, pharmacies, and insurance providers.
• Mentors/precepts new hires or students and supports department cost controls.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Critical thinking

Communication

Education

Practical Nursing diploma

Job description

Physical Condition

Performs direct patient care activities, such as lab tests, treatments, and medication administration. These are performed under the direction of the Nurse Manager, RN Supervisor, RN and/or physician in preparation for the patient’s examination and treatment. Carries out clinical activities, quality control activities, performance improvement initiatives, etc. in support of the Physician Practice as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the LPN Practice Act, hospital and/or physician practice policies, procedures, protocols, and other professional standards of care.
  • Collects patient health care data, including VS, weight, chief complaint and pain assessment focusing on the physical, psychosocial, age, cultural, and spiritual needs of the patient.
  • Involves the patient/family and other health care providers when appropriate.
  • Completes patient care treatments/testing as ordered by the physician.
  • Administers medications/immunizations using appropriate routes and techniques specific to age of the patient.
  • Complies with completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of documentation.
• Provides education and instruction, within their scope of practice, to patients and families.
  • Assists in assessing the patient’s educational needs and identifying educational barriers.
  • Provides educational material and/or instructions based on assessed needs.
  • Documents all education/instruction provided including topic, individual provided to and understanding.
• Maintains collaborative relationship with physicians to achieve desired patient outcomes.
  • Prepares patient for examination, treatments, and procedures.
  • Assists the physician with treatments and procedures as requested.
• Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and physician practice policies.
  • Utilize two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
  • Labels all patient specimens with identifiers per policy.
  • Uses patient identifiers on all written documentation, including notes and point of care testing results.
• Assists in compliance with all regulatory agency requirements.
  • Performs quality control testing for all point of care testing per policy.
  • Participates in non-punitive medication reporting.
  • Adheres to infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
• Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the concepts inherent to the practice of the professional nursing.
  • Demonstrates an ability to solve problems independently and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
  • Maintains accountability for actions taken.
  • Delegates patient care appropriately.
  • Effectively functions as a resource person.
  • Acts as a patient advocate.
  • Performs effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
  • Assists in maintaining/decreasing organizational/departmental costs.
• Assists in the department’s compliance with JCAHO and other regulatory agencies.
  • Participates in continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
• Coordinates communications between patient/families and physician practice, pharmacies, specialists, and insurance carriers.
  • Provides advice based on protocols and physician instructions and directs patients to the appropriate level of care.
  • Facilitates patients access to prescription refills based on physician’s order.
  • Obtains prior authorization and/or assists with indigent programs per physician order based on the patient’s financial status or insurance coverage.
• Supports performance improvement initiatives with the physician practice
  
  • Assists in data collection as directed by the manager/physician.
  • Incorporates into practice performance improvement initiatives that have been implemented.
• Maintains the environment of care.
  • Ensures that supplies in patient care areas are replenished daily.
  • Consistently maintains a clean safe environment.
• Performs POC testing as ordered by the physician.
  • Completes all quality control testing per policy.
  • Identifies results that are out of acceptable range and follows up prior to performing patient testing.
  • Uses two patient identifiers, name and DOB, prior to testing.
  • Accurately records patient test results on appropriate result form and testing log.
• Prepares forms, copies records, and responds to request per policies and procedures.
• Assists in maintaining the patients’ medical record to facilitate filing and retrieval of information.
• Participates in all other office functions as necessary.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited School of Practical Nursing
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous LPN experience.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).

LEAN

• Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one’s own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Independence's missions, vision and values.

AAP/EEO

Independence Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Independence Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Independence Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Physical Demands

• Essential – Absolute Necessity.
• Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
• Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
• Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
• Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
• Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
• Never – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

• Extreme Heat
  X
• Extreme Cold
  X
• Heights
  X
• Confined Spaces
  X
• Extreme Noise(>85dB)
  X
• Mechanical Hazards
  X
• Use of Vibrating Tools
  X
• Operates Vehicle (company)
  X
• Operates Heavy Equipment
  X
• Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices
  X
• Rotates All Shifts
  X
• 20#
  8 Hours Shifts
  X
• 10-12 Hours Shifts
  X
• On-Call
  X
• Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hrs/wk)
  X
• Travel Between Sites
  X
• Direct Patient Care
  X
• Respirator Protective Equipment
  X
• Eye Protection
  X
• Head Protection (hard hat)
  X
• Hearing Protection
  X
• Hand Protection
  X
• Feet, Toe Protection
  X
• Body Protection
  X
• Latex Exposure
  X
• Solvent Exposure
  X
• Paint (direct use) Exposure
  X
• Dust (sanding) Exposure
  X
• Ethylene Oxide Exposure
  X
• Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
  X
• Blood/Body Fluid Exposure
  X
• Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
  X
• Mist Exposure
  X
• Wax Stripper (direct use)
  X
• Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure
  X
• Ionizing Radiation Exposure
  X
• Laser Exposure
  X
• Bending (Stooping)
  X
• Sitting
  X
• Walking
  X
• Climbing Stairs
  X
• Climbing Ladders
  X
• Standing
  X
• Kneeling
  X
• Squatting (Crouching)
  X
• Twisting/Turning
  X
• Keyboard/Computer Operation
  X
• Gross Grasp
  X
• Fine Finger Manipulation
  X
• Hand/Arm Coordination
  X
• Pushing/Pulling (lbs of force)
  X
• 20#
  Carry
  20#
  Transfer/Push/Pull Patients
  X
• Seeing Near w/Acuity
  X
• Feeling (Sensation)
  X
• Color Vision
  X
• Hearing Clearly
  X
• Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead
  X
• Reaching Above Shoulder Level
  X
• Reaching Forward
  X
• Lifting Floor to Knuckle
  X
• 20#
  Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle
  X
• 20#
  Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder
  X
• 20#
  Lifting Shoulder to Overhead
  X
• 10#
  When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required