The purpose of this position is to perform nursing care within the scope of practice of the Licensed Practical Nurse. Pool employees do not have a set schedule.
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.Overall Functions- Receive a report from the nurse on the previous shift, listening to updates, changes, and new information. Present a comprehensive report to the nursing assistants. Confirm their understanding of assignments and requests as well as the time that these are due to be completed. Review the schedule for therapy, the beauty shop, programs for the day and outside appointments.
- Conduct rounds on the unit upon arrival; monitoring the appearance of the unit and the appearance of the residents. Communicate observations to the appropriate staff for follow through and attention.
- Coordinate the duties and responsibilities for the day with the NCC and/or the RN Supervisor.
- Monitor the duties of the nursing assistants for completeness and in conjunction with the plan of care.
- Record resident information using the electronic chart or the clinical record.
- Responsible for the care and service to the residents under the direction of the NCC and/or RN Supervisor. Responsible to fulfill the duties of a staff nurse.
Nursing Care Functions- Inform nursing staff of new admissions and information about this new resident. Monitor that the room is ready, and that the supplies and equipment have been delivered to the room.
- Prepare and administer medication to residents. Observe and record resident’s response to medication, as well as physical and mental condition.
- Perform prescribed nursing treatment
- Monitor resident’s condition. Notify RN supervisor on resident change in condition or problem.
- Communicate resident condition and changes to the following shift.
- Keep current of new MD orders and family involvement.
- Record accomplished nursing tasks to residents’ charts. Prepare weekly/monthly summaries and goal charting. Record resident activity involvement.
- Assist in developing resident care plans.
- Order and stock pharmaceutical supplies and medications.
- Provide comfort for emotionally distressed residents and residents’ families.
- Provide information to residents and families, offering choice. Communicate openly providing appropriate updates of current status and progress.
- Identify resident care needs and provide input to the development of the care plan.
Personnel Functions- Make daily rounds observing that nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards. Present findings in a timely manner to the employee providing necessary education and discipline as necessary. Report these findings and the action taken to the NCC and/or RN Supervisor.
- Report complaints and grievances made or filed by personnel to the DON.
- Establish a good understanding with the employee in regards to expectations.
- Develop and maintain a good working rapport with personnel within the nursing department and other departments within the facility.
- Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift.
- Meet with the team on a regularly scheduled basis to promote effective communication, timely problem solving, and the improvement of services.
- Attend all mandatory meetings and in-services and complete the make-up session in a timely manner. Encourage staff attendance as well.
- Communicate concerns, questions, frustrations and complaints to the NCC/ RN Supervisor/DON in a timely and confidential manner. In the event that this communication is not resolved, communication of this will be presented to the Administrator.
- Monitor that privacy and confidentiality of resident information is upheld. Monitor that facility computers are used for resident related services only. Monitor that employee cell phones are kept in the employee locker room or employee vehicle.
- Understand and follow the Green County Employee Handbook.
- Follow facility guidelines and read and understand updates, memos, and educational sessions.
- Fulfill work schedule by arriving to the work station at the start of the shift. Meet attendance standards. Will fill in for open shifts.
- Understand that job performance will be reviewed for a clear understanding of expectations.
- Understand that job performance that does not meet standards and guidelines may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Safety and Sanitation- Monitor personnel to insure they are following established safety guidelines in the use of equipment and supplies.
- Monitor that nursing service work areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
- Monitor that all resident rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.
- Monitor that nursing service personnel participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.
- Monitor that nursing service personnel follow infection control guidelines.
- Monitor that nursing service personnel follow established hand washing guidelines.
Care Plan and Data Functions- Provide data for each resident as necessary.
- Provide input for the development of a written plan of care for each resident that identifies the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care.
- Be aware of resident care plans; i.e. resident goals, problems, approaches, and effectiveness.
- Ensure that personnel involved in providing care to the resident is aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in administering daily care to the resident.
Resident Rights- Maintain the confidentiality of all resident personal health information.
- Monitor that residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.
- Monitor that nursing care is provided privately and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident’s room.
- Monitor that nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of the residents’ rights.
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.
- Order supplies from the kitchen.
- Perform routine cleaning tasks.
- Assist resident with activities, walking etc.
- Prepare maintenance repair slips.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:
Licensed Practical Nurse certification, with three to five years nursing experience, preferably working in a long-term care setting or with geriatric population; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Pleasant View Nursing Home is a 24 hour facility which requires continuous care for residents, therefore employees must meet attendance standards by arriving to work on time, work all scheduled shifts and extra shifts that are agreed to work and have an overall excellent attendance record.
The ideal candidate must also be able to perform the following:
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication- Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to define consequences and to consider and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort data and information. Ability to assemble, copy, record and transcribe data. Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.
- Ability to counsel, treat and mediate, which may include providing first line supervision. Ability to persuade and convince others. Ability to advise and interpret how to apply guidelines and standards to specific situations.
- Ability to utilize advisory data and information such as physician’s orders, medical charts, drug reference manuals, medical books, lab reports, incident/accident reports, care plans, admission and discharge forms, maintenance orders, x-ray reports, technical operating manuals, guidelines, non-routine correspondence and laws.
- Ability to communicate effectively with physicians, PVNH nursing staff, PVNH administrative and support service staff, residents, residents’ families, therapists, psychologists, and social workers.
Mathematical Ability
- Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
- Ability to use functional reasoning development in performing functions within influence systems such as associated with supervising, managing, leading, teaching, directing and controlling.
- Ability to apply situational reasoning ability by exercising judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory or judgmental criteria.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements involved in direct nursing care.
- Ability to operate O2 concentrator, syringe, glucometer, nebulizer, suction machine, otoscope, sphygmomanometer, and thermometer. Ability to handle, load, and unload, and move and guide materials using simple tools.
- Ability to stoop, squat, bend, kneel, reach, twist, climb and balance approximately 1-33% and have hearing acuity, vision acuity far, vision acuity near, color vision and depth perception approximately 67-100% of the time working.
- Ability to use both right and left hands for repetitive actions such as grasping, grasping and turning, fine manipulation, speed work.
- Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled movements such as cutting, reading care plans, walking to assist residents.
- Ability to exert mildly heavy physical effort in moderate to heavy work in an eight hour work day, including lifting/carrying (0-34 lbs. approximately 34-66%; 35-100+ lbs. approximately 1-33%).
- Ability to push/pull residents and other necessary items related to performing the LPN role (1-24lbs. approximately 34-66%; 25-100+ lbs. approximately 1-33%).
- Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds, tastes, odors, textures associated with residents’ conditions.
Environmental Adaptability
- In regards to environment factors work under moderately safe and comfortable conditions with potential factors such as odors, smoke, potential violence, noise, disease.
Green County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
