LPN Hospice

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Licensed Practical Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Licensed Practical Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
• Valid driver’s license.
• CPR certification within 30 days of hire date.

• One (1) year of Hospice Nursing.

• Performs and monitors basic patient care according to policies and procedures.
• Uses nursing process including assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating to meet the patient’s physical and psychological needs.
• Provides a safe and comfortable environment in the patient’s home.
• Ensures privacy and demonstrates concern for the dignity of patient in performing all patient care.
• Completes assignments in a timely manner.
• Communicates patient care problems or potential problems to the primary RN, Administrative Staff and/or other IDT members as identified to assure continuity and coordination of care.
• Maintains patient confidentiality according to policies and procedures.
• Functions effectively as a LPN in respect to organization, communication, and prioritization.
• Completes and documents full system assessment, including assessment of level of physical and psychosocial aspects and identifies age‑specific criteria upon admission and each visit thereafter.
• Understands pathophysiologic process by taking appropriate nursing action in accordance with changes in patient condition (collaborates with primary RN).
• Develops and updates problem list based upon continuing assessment with RN and records/updates care plan.
• Reports significant observed changes in patient condition to primary RN and Administrative Staff and/or physician.
• Follows a plan of care based on the assessed findings and updates under physician orders and primary RN.
• Documents patient status and care or services furnished in appropriate areas as defined by the documentation policy and procedure. Provides appropriate documentation of nursing intervention, patient response, effectiveness, complications and other pertinent information with RN supervision.
• Performs CPR when directed by patients’ wishes/appropriate representative.
• Demonstrates bag technique per policy and procedure.
• Observes documents and takes appropriate action and notifies RN/Administrative staff of the following conditions: skin condition, venous condition, extremity circulation and mobility; complication with infiltration, phlebitis, infection circulatory overload and abnormal signs/symptoms; allergic reaction.
• Performs the following treatments/procedures according to specific standards: vital signs, patient weights, specimen collection, ostomy care, urethral catheterization and pressure wound care, dressing changes, oral suction, range of motion, bladder training, bowel training, patient ambulation/transfer and positioning, pacemaker, diabetes monitoring.
• Performs and monitors patient teaching according to the policy and procedures. Anticipates, modifies and adapts the teaching plan to accommodate the patient and family. Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan on a regular basis.
• Coordinates care so that medications are administered as ordered by a physician and in compliance with the Medication Administration Standards. Reports findings of discrepancies to the primary RN and Administrative staff.
• Collaborates with the primary RN in order to facilitate a change in the level of care in compliance with the change in level of care standard. Reports changes in level of care to primary RN and Administrative staff.
• Understands the stages of death and dying as it relates to hospice patients. Understands nursing care needed for terminally ill, acutely ill patients.
• Performs post mortem care as needed.

• IV Therapy including Ports, PICCs, TLC catheters, sterile dressing changes, antibiotic therapy – no PPIs, TPN and Chemo infusions, no titration of pain pumps. LPN cannot pull PICC.
• Wound vacs, all aspects of sterile wound care, Pleurx drain care, ostomy care, trach care, G‑tube care, and Foley and suprapubic catheters. LPN cannot remove OnQ pain pump (placed by ortho).
• Labs via peripheral and…