Licensed Practical Nurse

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is an individual who holds a current state license to practice practical nursing.  LPN (IV) will have successfully completed a Board approved basic intravenous therapy course.  The LPN, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), performs duties, which require a basic knowledge of nursing principles and the ability to perform technical skills in carrying out nursing procedures that are culturally based and age specific.    

 

Assessment:

Participates in the nursing assessment of the patient by collecting and recording objective data and observations about the physical, psychosocial, spiritual and educational needs of the patient.

• Demonstrates knowledge base of normal age-specific, physiological and psychosocial functions of the unit's population.
• Contributes observations to the basic physical assessment of assigned patients.
• Initiates a nursing admission history upon admission.
• Differentiates between normal and abnormal data, signs and symptoms, and subtle changes related to the patient’s presenting problems and potential problems.
• Notifies Physician and RN promptly of pertinent changes in patient’s condition.
• Contributes to the evaluation of patient needs each shift and more frequently when indicated by unit standards of care or patient condition.
• Monitors patient and environmental safety continuously.
• Receives and gives a complete, concise, and timely report on condition of assigned patients.
• Collaborates with other health team members to collect and share pertinent data regarding patient’s physiological and psychological condition.
• Observes continuing care needs in preparation for discharge.
• Observes for need to refer to other health care professionals

Planning:

Provides input to the RN regarding establishing and prioritizing a list of actual, and potential, individualized age-specific patient problems and/or needs.

• Contributes recommendations to the RN regarding the interdisciplinary plan of care for each assigned patient in a collaborative effort with other health care team members within the time frame indicated by unit's standards of practice.
• Involves patient and/or family in reviewing the mutually agreed upon goals.
• Assures plan of care is consistent with therapy prescribed by the medical practitioner, standards of care, and anticipated length of stay.
• Communicates formulated plan of care, as appropriate, to all levels of associates involved in the patient’s care.
• Utilizes plan of care in shift report.
• Reviews possible modification in plan of care with the RN based on changing patient needs.
• Demonstrates ability to establish priorities of care.
• Contributes to discharge planning upon admission and makes appropriate referrals.
• Attends and participates in patient conferences as indicated.

Updates computerized patient profiles every shift and incorporates changes in plan of care and status as directed.

 

Implementation:

Implements plan of care and interventions to provide quality care, under the direction of an RN, based on assessed needs, established standards of care and according to policy and procedures.

• Implements nursing actions based upon patient’s plan of care.
• Implements plan of nursing care in collaboration with the patient, significant others, and other health care team members.
• Provides ongoing individualized holistic patient and family education based on needs and plan of care.
• Demonstrates critical thinking in review of physician orders and accountability for appropriate implementation of physician orders.
• Demonstrates responsibility for medication administration as allowed by licensure and institution policy.
• Responds to emergency and other situations requiring immediate attention in a controlled precise, and skilled manner.
• Makes appropriate referrals to other health care team members in a timely manner.
• Implements safety interventions to maintain patient/family/staff safety.
• Reports actual and potential patient safety issues.
• Implements measures to prevent contamination and/or transmission of disease.
• Utilizes appropriate protective devices and equipment to prevent injury.

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