LPN - Clinic

Description

Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse

Department: Clinic

PART I: POSITION OVERVIEW

Position Summary:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) assists in the care, treatment and observation of well, ill, and injured individuals. Health promotion and maintenance, assisting with health counseling and teaching are key supportive activities. Under the direction of a licensed physician or PA the LPN may apply procedures that protect life and health, i.e. medication administration and treatments consistent with the scope of practice. It is an art dedicated to the caring of others and the work of healing.

The scope of the LPN practice contributes to the nursing diagnosis of human responses to actual or potential health problems of individuals or groups, providing preventative, restorative and supportive care, health teaching and counseling, case finding and referral; and under the direction of the provider may administrate, supervise, delegate, evaluate and teach health and nursing practice; which may require specialized knowledge, judgment and skill based upon the principles of the biological, physiological and behavioral sciences, and for which the LPN bears responsibility and accountability as part of the health care delivery team.

The LPN may assist with tests and procedures within the scope of practice for the Licensed Practical Nurse. The nurse performs other duties as assigned by the Clinic Director or designee.

Education/Experience:

Completion of State Board approved LPN program. Prefer one year of clinical experience.

Required Credentials (Licensure, Certification, or Registration):

Currently licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse with applicable State Nursing board and/or possess multi-state licensure privileges. Functions within the legal scope of practice.

Employment Variables:

Care is delivered to clinic patients of all ages. Work hours vary according to clinic schedules. 

Initial Tuberculosis (TB) test and drug screening is required by Winner Regional Health. Rubella titer will also be drawn upon hire and immunization is required if no past exposure or indication of immunization.  

Required to wear name tag provided by WRH and to follow the dress code of WRH.  

Job Knowledge and Skills:

Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language and follow oral or written instruction. Excellent oral and written communication skills, work with customers and co-workers in a professional manner. 

Direct Supervisor:

Clinic Director

PART II: CODE OF CONDUCT

Honesty

We will do the right thing at all times, even if it is difficult, maintaining strong, ethical practices. We protect the confidentiality of others, including patients, staff and the facility as a whole. We will take responsibility for our actions.

Expertise

We will demonstrate superior judgment, training and skill, at all times, demonstrating professionalism while doing so. We will perform all aspects of our job to the best of our ability, utilizing all resources and tools available.

Approachability  

We will be non-judgmental, friendly, and open and willing to listen to everyone we come into contact with while performing our duties. We are humble and learn from others.

Respect

We will be understanding and sensitive to others’ feelings; caring and responding in a manner that sets them at ease, keeping the situation in perspective without minimizing others’ feelings or reactions. We will listen to others with full attention in a sincere, civil fashion, being careful not to be judgmental of the speaker. We maintain composure when facing conflict and avoid jumping to conclusions and defaming another’s name.

Teamwork

We willingly work together with a common approach, trusting and supporting members of our organization, using our skills and resources, sharing information to achieve a common aim.

PART III: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the job, along with the corresponding performance standards.

Care of Patient

• Collects data from available resources to identify basic patient needs.
• Collects, contributes to, and communicates data regarding patient’s condition to provider.
• Greets patients and prepares them for provider examination.
• Screens patients for appropriate information and records information in patient chart.
• Provides patient and family with education regarding medications, nutrition, care and treatment plan, and developmental milestones according to provider instruction.
• Administers medication as directed by provider, including vaccinations and injections.
• May perform phlebotomy and laboratory testing as necessary.
• Arranges for patient testing and admission.
• Verify/obtain pre-certification as needed.
• Reports test results and provider instructions to patient/family.
• Oversees appointment schedule of provider and works with support staff and physician to schedule patients who need to be seen.
• Demonstrates and maintains infection control standards.
• Acts promptly and appropriately when recognizing acute and subtle changes in patient’s condition.
• Cleans exam rooms according to protocol and maintains exam rooms for necessary supplies and materials.
• Cleans and prepares equipment and instruments according to protocol.
• Skill in using various types of equipment for examination and treatment procedures.
• May assist with clinical procedures as directed by provider, uses nursing process to manage clinical calls.
• Recognizes life-threatening or crisis situations and manages referrals immediately; records presenting problem; documents relevant clinical profile of the caller; demonstrates critical thinking and establishes priorities within the LPN scope of practices.

Communication

• Communicates changes in patient status with provider and/or family members.
• Contributes to modification, implementation, and evaluation of individualized teaching plan in order to restore, maintain, or promote health.
• Gives pertinent and timely report to co-workers.
• Promotes and assists others to practice safe work habits; identifies and reports health and safety hazards; and offers suggestions and participates in corrective action.
• Communicates with team members in a professional and respectful manner.
• Documents accurately, thoroughly and legibly.

Professional Attitude

• Respects physical privacy of patient.
• Delegates care appropriately.
• Functions independently, recognizing own expertise as well as available resources.
• Recognizes own limitations and seeks assistance as needed.
• Provides professional best practice training and guidance when precepting students and orients.

Policies and Procedures

• Complies with department and organizational policies and procedures related to emergency/crisis intervention, confidentiality, safety practices, reporting of incidents, risk management procedures and mandated reporting policies.

Other Duties (As pertinent to the appropriate employee)

• Order medical supplies and medications.
• Monitor quality for CLIA and provide necessary documentation to Clinic Manager for review.
• Order and maintain Immunizations through SHD
• Performs breath alcohol testing.
• Schedules nurses.

PART IV: COMPLIANCE

Compliance

• Must comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to the position. 
• The employee has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to the Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer.

PART V: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

General Activity

In a regular workday, employee may:

Sit

.25

Hours at a time; up to

2

Hours during the day

Stand

1

Hours at a time; up to

3

Hours during the day

Walk

.25

Hours at a time; up to

4-6

Hours during the day

Motion

Employee is required: (In terms of a regular workday, "Occasionally" equals 1% to 33%, "Frequently" 34% to 66%, "Continuously", greater than 67%.)

Bend/Stoop

Kneel, Duration 30 sec

Squat

Balance

Crawl, Distance

Twist

Climb, Height

Keyboarding/Mousing

Frequently

Reach above shoulder level

Filing

Occasionally

Physical Demand

Employee’s job requires he/she carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead. Employee’s job requires a pushing/pulling force to move a load (not the weight of the load).

Physical Demand Classification:

Carrying/lifting weight and pushing/pulling force:

Light

Occasionally

35 lbs. 

Frequently

10 lbs.

Constantly

Sensory Requirements:

Yes/No

Explanation (if Yes)

Speech

Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. 

Communicates with staff and patients on phone or in person. Responds to patient’s concerns and questions.

Vision (VDT)

Are there specific vision requirements for the job?

Must be able to read numbers and names. Must be able to distinguish colors and view a computer screen.

Hearing

Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications, and to make fine discriminations in sound; i.e., making fine adjustments on machine parts, using a telephone, taking blood pressures. 

Vital communication with other clinic staff and patients directly or via telephone.

Environmental Factors

Yes/No

Explanation (if Yes)

Working on unprotected heights

Being around moving machinery

Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity

No

Driving automotive equipment

No

Wearing personal protective equipment

Yes

Exposed to body fluids and waste

Exposure to atmospheric conditions (i.e. fumes, dust, odors, mists, gases, or poor ventilation)

No

Exposure to extreme noise or vibration

Exposure to blood, body fluids and waste

Yes

Exposed to body fluids and waste

Exposure to radiation

Yes

Potential positioning/assisting patient during x-rays

Exposure to other hazards (i.e. mechanical, electrical, burns, or explosives)

Yes

Exposed to needles and hazardous cleaning solutions

Emotional/Psychological Factors

Yes/No

Explanation (if Yes)

Stress: Exposed to stressful situations

Must be able to effectively deal with concerns of upset patients or other clinic staff.

Concentration: Must be able to concentrate on work tasks amidst distractions.

There are many phone and personal interruptions throughout the workday.

Must exert self-control. 

Must be able to display control and confidence under stress.