Licensed Practical Nurse

Job Summary

Responsible for providing nursing care to patients in a professional and courteous manner. Performs a wide variety of patient care activities and accommodative services for patients under the direction of the manager/provider.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education:  Must be, as a minimum, a graduate of an approved LPN/LVN program; Posses a valid Healthcare Provider cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate within six (6) months of their first day on the job in the facility; CPR classes are provided by Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Staff Development
Minimum Years of Experience:  None
Required Certifications/Licensure:  Current South Carolina license as a Licensed Practical Nurse; Basic first aid knowledge 
Required Training:  None

Essential Functions

•    Direct the day-to-day functions of the nursing assistants in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility. 
•    Ensure that the written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department are followed by all nursing personnel assigned to you.
•    Ensure that the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is followed in rendering nursing care.
•    Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating nursing services to ensure that the resident’s total regimen of care is maintained.
•    Ensure that all nursing service personnel are following their respective job descriptions.
•    Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.
•    Participate in the development, maintenance and implementation of the facility’s quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
•    Periodically review the resident’s written discharge plan.  Participate in the updating of the resident’s written discharge plan as required.
•    Assist in planning the nursing services portion of the resident’s discharge plan as necessary.
•    Participate in surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
•    Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of your shift as required.
•    Periodically review the department’s policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required.
•    Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required.

Duties & Responsibilities

•    Inform nursing personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignments, etc.
•    Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.
•    Greet newly admitted residents upon admission.  Escort to room as necessary.
•    Make rounds with physicians as necessary.
•    Implement and maintain established nursing objectives and standards.
•    Cooperate with and coordinate social and activity programs with nursing service schedules. 
•    Make independent decisions concerning nursing care.
•    Notify the resident’s attending physician when the resident is involved in an accident or incident.
•    Make periodic checks to assure that prescribed treatments are being properly administered by nursing assistants and to evaluate the resident’s physical and emotional status.
•    Administer professional services such as catherization, tube feedings, suction, applying and changing dressing/bandages, packs, colostomy and drainage bags, taking blood, giving massages and range of motion exercises, care of the dead/dying, etc., as required.
•    Participate in the orientation of new residents/family members to the facility.
•    Requisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by the physician, and in accordance with our established procedures.
•    Meet with residents, and/or family members, as necessary.  Report problem areas to the Charge Nurse.
•    Admit, transfer and discharge residents as necessary.
•    Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents as necessary.
•    Ensure that discharged residents are escorted to the pick-up area.
•    Review the resident’s chart for specific treatments, medication orders, diets, etc., as necessary.
•    Carry out restorative and rehabilitative programs, to include self-help and care.
•    Check foods brought into the facility by the resident’s family/visitors to assure that it is within the resident’s dietary allowances.  Report problem areas to the Charge Nurse or Dietary Supervisor.
•    Inspect the nursing service treatment areas daily to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and safe manner.
•    Consult with the resident’s physician and next-of-kin when there is a change in the resident’s condition.
•    Work with the facility’s consultants and implement those changes authorized by the Charge Nurse.
•    Performs all other duties as assigned