Licensed Practical Nurse - Hospice

JOB SUMMARY

The LPN provides direct nursing care for individual clients.  The LPN delivers assigned delegated aspects of care, consistent with the overall comprehensive nursing plan of care documented by the Registered Nurse, and agency/unit policy, procedures and protocols.  The LPN communicates with individual clients and visiting family or significant others to encourage expression of needs and confers with the Registered Nurse when patient’s expressed needs appear to be different from the documented plan of care. 

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION

1. Assists in the orientation of others.  Ensures completion of orientation skills record, initials and dates in timely fashion.

2. Keeps current on professional nursing practice and care of the terminally ill. Attends 100% of mandatory meetings and 80% of Hospice Staff/QI meetings. 

3. Assures adherence to ethical and legal standards of the agency.  Is aware of, and nursing practice is congruent with, the Hospice Touch Mission Statement and Tomah Health Mission and Values; does not exceed the authority of the LPN and is aware of and follows Tomah Health/Hospice Touch policy and procedure.  Follows safety guidelines as related to body mechanics, hazardous materials and standard and transmission-based isolation precautions.

4. Provides nursing care and emotional support to meet the special care and bereavement needs of child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and their families as delegated within the patient’s comprehensive plan of care and consistent with this plan.  Collects vital signs and accurately observes and reports changes on patient condition to RN Case Manager.  Provides assistance in activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, nutrition, elimination, mobility or ambulation, maintenance environment, safety.  Maintains knowledge and competency in drug therapy for all ages of patients served.

5. Continuously assess and evaluates patients and families satisfaction and acceptance of Hospice services and response to the plan of care.

6. Is proficient in symptom management advocating the patient’s right to be as comfortable as possible with consistent management of physical, emotional and spiritual discomfort.  Responds promptly to patient’s identified needs, obtains MD orders and medication per policy and in a timely manner.  Is proficient in drug calculation and conversion, med. administration, use of equipment and supplies and alternative therapies.  Maintains knowledge and competency in the potential for drug/food, drug/drug, and drug/disease interaction for all age groups.

7. Is committed to the Team concept of care.  Promptly notifies Nurse Case Manager or Hospice Coordinator of change in patient condition, need or complaint.  Works cooperatively with all Team members and respects each Team member’s area of expertise.  Gives and receives input in a respectful collaborative manner.  Demonstrates the ability to accept suggestions and criticism objectively without friction.

8. Recognize personal need for support and demonstrates self-care behaviors.  Informs Hospice Coordinator or Social Worker when assignment becomes emotionally draining for counseling and additional support.  Attends all Hospice self-care inservices and retreats and has a personal plan for stress management.  Uses open honest communication.

9. Demonstrates proficiency in regards to the computer documentation of patient cares and any other related computerized patient information/documentation.

10. Displays behaviors, by actions and verbalization that reflect an acceptance of the Tomah Health Standards of Behavior.  Maintains appropriate boundaries with patients and families and seeks direction when boundaries become blurred or questionable.

11. Performs all other duties as assigned.

GENERAL REQUIREMENT

Must comply with and uphold Tomah Health’s Standards of Behavior at all times.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. High school diploma or GED equivalent required.

2. Graduate of an approved school of practical nursing. 

3. Current licensure to practice in Wisconsin and certificate of completion of pharmacology course. 

4. Current certification or eligibility to become BLS certified. 

5. Successful completion or agreement to complete Hospice/Volunteer training. 

6. Must have access to insured vehicle and have current and valid WI Driver’s License.

7. Previous experience preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

2. Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.

3. Must acquire the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform essential nursing practice.

4. Must have proficient computer skills with the ability to operate within a Windows environment.

5. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress and with minimal supervision.

6. Needs to possess as high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.

7. Ability to operate and handle many kinds of complex equipment.

8. Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for infant through geriatric patients.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, and talk and hear.

2. The LPN is frequently required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms.  The LPN is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, and detect odors.

3. The LPN must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

4. Good hearing is necessary to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound.

5. Visual acuity is needed to assess color changes, to verify accuracy of written materials.

6. Computer/keyboard skills required.  Must have the ability to operate in a Windows environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Must understand and accept the possibility of exposure to inside environmental conditions, such as infectious/communicable diseases, noise, blood and bloodborne diseases, chemicals and/or chemical fumes, odors, gases, dusts, and physical injury/verbal abuse from an out-of-control patient.  Frequent exposure to distressed patients, families or visitors.  Must be able to function effectively under stressful situations.