Licensed Practical Nurse; LPN

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Job Description

The LPN/LVN administers nursing care according to the plan of care to terminally ill patients admitted to the VITAS program, in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act in the State where the VITAS program is located.

• 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.
• Maintains 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 the interdisciplinary plan of care.
• Establishes therapeutic relationship with patients/families and invites their participation in the plan of care to promote independence as much as possible.
• Initiates and performs nursing protocols related to physical comfort and mental well-being, including positioning, mobilizing, bowel/bladder elimination, skin and wound care, personal hygiene and communication.
• Participates in patient/family teaching during daily care related to understanding illness and treatment, activities of daily living, self-care, prevention and recognition of complications, discharge and follow-up.
• Plans and participates in professional growth activities (e.g., in-service programs, community educational offerings).
• Cooperates with education and research activities as assigned.
• Participates in the LPN/LVN on-call rotation/schedule to meet patient and family needs.
• Willing to work flexible schedules (e.g., 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, including at least one year as an LPN/LVN in a hospital on an adult medical-surgical unit.
• Equivalent experience may be considered.

• Does NOT make initial patient nursing care assessments.
• Supervised by a Registered Nurse.
• Reports to the applicable Team Manager.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. The employee is regularly required to:

• Assist in lifting and transferring patients as required.
• Lift objects in excess of 20 pounds.
• Stand or walk for extended periods.
• Talk and hear.

• Close vision
• Distance vision
• Ability to adjust focus

The employee may be required to sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch as part of job duties.

VITAS Healthcare is the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth within a people-focused organization dedicated to compassionate hospice care.

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance
• 401(k) plan with generous company match
• Cancer and/or critical illness benefit
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Legal Insurance
• Roadside Assistance
• Affinity Program

Many of our positions offer the opportunity to work day or night shifts, weekdays or weekends.

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