LPN - NURSE POOL

Job Summary

Licensed Practical Nurse functions as a member of the health‑care team by exercising sound nursing judgment. The LPN provides direct and indirect patient care for an assigned group of patients under the direction and supervision of the RN and according to a plan of care derived from physician orders and RN assessment. Nursing care includes physical care, emotional support, and patient and family education.

• Delivers direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the Pennsylvania Practical Nurse Law, hospital policies, procedures, protocols and other professional standards of care.
• Assists the RN in collecting patient health care data on admission by completing a focused assessment in an ongoing systematic manner, focusing on the physical, psychosocial, age, cultural and spiritual needs of the patient, contributing to a comprehensive assessment by the RN.
• Works directly with the RN to implement an individualized, age‑specific plan of care and evaluate its effectiveness.
• Assists the RN in reassessment of the patient’s condition and takes appropriate action as indicated or by unit specific policy.
• Involves the patient/family and other health care providers when appropriate.
• Completes patient care related activities within scheduled time periods.
• Complies with completeness, accuracy and timeliness of documentation, utilizing the electronic medical record.
• Observes, records and reports to the appropriate professional the symptoms, reactions and changes including the general physical and mental condition of patients and signs and symptoms which may be indicative of untoward changes.
• Performs nursing functions defined in Pennsylvania regulations, such as initiating (peripheral short catheter) and maintaining IV therapy.
• Assists with the rehabilitation of patients according to the medical care plan, encouraging patients’ interests and special aptitudes.
• Encourages patients to help themselves within their own capabilities in performing activities of daily living.
• Applies principles of prevention of deformities, normal range of motion, body mechanics and body alignment.
• Assists in providing education for coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self‑care and improve outcomes.
• Assists the RN in assessing patient readiness to learn, identifying educational barriers and adapting the process to meet the patient’s needs.
• Ensures education about safe and effective medication usage, pain management, resources and responsibilities in their care.
• Acquires and distributes educational resources tailored to patient needs.
• Provides and reviews, upon RN request, written discharge instructions demonstrating the inter‑relationship between education, discharge planning and continuity of care.
• Makes collaborative relationships with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and ensures continuous flow of patient care.
• Communicates pertinent information for interdisciplinary patient care conferences, shift reports and internal/external transfers.
• Reports changes in patient condition to the RN, including need to reassess or change the plan, and confers with the RN when physician contact is needed.
• Participates in unit performance improvement activities designed to enhance quality of patient care and customer service.
• Assists in data collection as requested and recommends modifications for performance improvement.
• Demonstrates leadership by utilizing nursing concepts, solving problems independently, seeking assistance when appropriate, delegating patient care, maintaining accountability, acting as patient advocate, performing preceptor/mentor duties and reducing organizational costs.
• Assists in department compliance with state, TJC, OSHA and other regulatory agencies; participates in survey readiness, non‑punitive medication reporting system, narcotic accountability, infection control, standard precautions.
• Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies, utilizing two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care, involving the patient and/or family in safety…