LPN SUBSIDIARY

Independence Health System; Ligonier (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System seeks an experienced Licensed Practical Nurse to provide direct and indirect patient care in a physician practice setting. You will collect patient data, administer medications, and support education and care coordination under supervision.

Responsibilities include preparing patients for exams, ensuring safety, and collaborating with physicians and staff to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Valid PA LPN license and BLS are required.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care per policies and standards.
• Collects patient data including vital signs and pain assessment.
• Administers medications/immunizations following age-specific protocols.
• Documents results accurately and maintains patient records.
• Maintains patient safety and infection control practices.
• Coordinates care with physicians, families, and other team members.

Skills

Leadership

Organization

Critical thinking

Communication

Education

Graduate of an accredited School of Practical Nursing

Job description

Job Summary / Overall Objectives

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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Required Qualifications / Experience

• 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 / Experience

• Previous LPN experience.
• Experience in Healthcare setting.

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

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Physical Demands & Safety

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Notice

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.