Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Staff Nurse

Purpose:

To assure quality nursing care for patient by following physician's orders, state and federal regulations and this Facility's policies and procedures.

Essential Job Functions and Requirements:

Employee work shifts as scheduled. Must be willing to work other variable hours when necessary.

1. Assists in direction of nursing services for unit/hall, in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act, and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse
2. Delegates duties to professional nurses and non-professional nursing personnel and monitoring work performance under the supervision of a Registered Nurse
3. Makes walking rounds at the beginning and end of shift while receiving and/or giving report
4. Counts narcotics at beginning and end of shift, always initializing the count sheet appropriately ascertaining accuracy of count
5. Checks Bowel Movement/E care dashboards to compile a laxative and/or enema list
6. Performs fingersticks scheduled, gives oral hypoglycemics and insulins per MD order
7. Administers all medications (oral, s.q., I.M., IV (if properly trained)) as ordered by M.D. an according to Facility policies. May administer up to 60 minutes before or after time ordered. Also, administers (hangs) tube feeding as ordered by M.D. May start I.V.'s as ordered, but only if trained to do procedure
8. Check critical or "sick" patients frequently and documents findings, changes, etc. in Nurses Notes and notifies supervisor and/or M.D. as necessary
9. Observes patients for symptoms and/or reactions, including general physical and/or mental condition for signs, which may be indicative of adverse change. Reports these to supervisor and/or MD as necessary. Documents in nurses notes and places on charting list and calendar. Also notifies patient's family as necessary of any significant change in patient's condition
10. Completes required documentation according to Documentation policies and procedures
11. Completes incident reports and calls physician if needed
12. Completes monthly summary for each patient following the summary schedule
13. Admits new patients, completing the following: Nurses Admission Record, Nurses Notes, (as appropriate), status change slip, dietary requisition, taking off orders, and checking MAR's
14. Transfers and/or discharges patients when ordered by physician
15. Assists physicians with rounds as needed
16. Drapes, remains with and cares for patients during MD rounds, physical examinations, and treatments as necessary
17. Notifies MD of any error in administering medication should such occur
18. Documents PRN medications and also the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness appropriately on PRN sheet
19. Performs treatments scheduled during shift and documents appropriately
20. Monitors specific skin tears and/or other skin conditions and documents at least weekly or more often if warranted
21. Assists with post-mortem care and provides emotional support for families as needed
22. Cleans and restocks medication and treatment carts every shift
23. Orders medications from pharmacy as needed, checks medications when received and places in medication carts, following Facility procedures. Counts, documents on return sheet, and returns medication to pharmacy as needed
24. Obtains and signs for supplies as needed
25. Completes requisitions for dietary requests and/or maintenance repairs as needed
26. Obtains lab specimen ordered
27. Maintains infection control measures as necessary
28. Assists in ensuring availability of supplies and equipment. Assesses needs for additional equipment or repair and maintenance of current equipment
29. Assists with Infection Control for unit/hall. Adheres to all regulations pertaining to cleanliness, infection control, and Universal Precautions
30. Assists with research related to the quality of nursing care, as assigned
31. Assists with records, orders, and assessment of new admissions unit/hall. Assists with assuring the initial Nursing Assessment is completed within 24 hours of admission and initiates Patient Care Plan
32. Periodically reviews Care Plans and makes recommendations for change in care as needed
33. Attends Quality Assurance meetings when assigned. Completes Quality Assurance monitors as assigned to unit/hall monthly and submits findings and averages at least two days prior to Quality Assurance meeting. Follows up when needed of concerns or problems found through Quality Assurance
34. Assists with monitoring and measuring decubiti weekly and completing Integument Watch records accurately
35. Serves on other committees as needed or assigned
36. Works directly with other departments to implement needs for the unit/hall and needs of patients on the unit/hall
37. Reports any possible performance issues by employees within the facility to the RN for determination if disciplinary action is required. May be asked by the RN to send an employee home for the remainder of the shift if the RN determines that further investigation is needed. May document the performance concern on the appropriate form for review and use by the RN in the disciplinary process
38. Assists with lab requests as ordered per Facility policy using appropriate techniques. Responsible for reporting laboratory work as ordered on unit, reviewing results, and notifying attending physician when deemed necessary
39. Assists with emergencies arising while on duty. Performs CPR if needed. Assists with emergencies on other units if needed
40. Assists with notifying attending physician of emergencies and death of patients in the unit. Implements orders of changes in orders as instructed or ordered by physicians
41. Performs other duties as assigned