Licensed Practical Nurse; LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – VITAS Healthcare

We are looking for an experienced LPN to care for terminally ill patients admitted to our VITAS program.

• Provides direct skilled bedside nursing care.
• Evaluates patient/family needs and assists in the preparation and execution of the interdisciplinary plan of care for each patient on the team.
• Performs selected acts in the care of the terminally ill under the supervision of a registered nurse; such acts include the administration of treatments and medications.
• Evaluates effectiveness of treatments and monitors patient’s reactions.
• Reports significant findings or changes in the patient’s condition to the registered nurse, Team Manager or Physician. Documents reports in clinical notes.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment for the patient and family.
• Maintain accurate documentation including but not limited to clinical notes on interdisciplinary charts.
• Evaluates patient/family response to care.
• Utilizes a wide variety of supportive and technical nursing skills in carrying out specific medical orders for administration of medication, performing specific treatments, monitoring diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive measures.
• Assists the interdisciplinary team in the designing and delivering of interdisciplinary plan of care.
• Establishes therapeutic relationship with patients/families and invites their participation in the plan of care to ensure, as much as possible, their being able to function as independently as possible.
• Initiates and performs nursing protocols based on patient's needs relating to physical comfort and mental well-being which include, but are not limited to, positioning, mobilizing, bowel and bladder elimination, skin and wound care, personal hygiene and communication.
• Participates in patient/family teaching during daily care relative to understanding the illness and its treatment; maintaining of activities of daily living; self-care and self-medication, prevention and recognition of complications and preparation for discharge and follow-up.
• Plans and carries out a program of professional growth including, but not limited to, participating in regularly scheduled in-service programs and appropriate community educational offerings.
• Cooperates with education and research activities as assigned.
• Participates in Nurse LPN/LVN on-call rotation/schedule as assigned in order to meet the needs of patients and families.
• Is willing to work on flexible schedule, i.e., weekends or rotating shifts.

Must have and maintain transportation to be used for work with required liability insurance and license.

• Graduate of an approved school of Practical/Vocational nursing.
• Currently licensed to practice nursing in the state where the VITAS program is located.
• At least one year of satisfactory nursing experience, at least one year of which is an LPN/LVN in a hospital on an adult medical surgical unit.
• Equivalent experience may be considered.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:

• Assist in lifting and transferring patients, as required.
• Lift objects in excess of 20 pounds.
• Stand or walk in excess of one hour per day.
• Talk and hear.

• Close vision.
• Distance vision.
• Ability to adjust focus.

Additional duties may include sitting, stooping, kneeling, and crouching as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.