Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Job Description:

• Administers nursing care according to the plan of care to terminally ill patients.
• Provides direct skilled bedside nursing care.
• Evaluates patient/family needs and assists in the preparation and execution of the interdisciplinary plan of care.
• Performs selected acts in the care of the terminally ill under the supervision of a registered nurse, including administration of treatments and medications.
• Evaluates effectiveness of treatments and monitors patient's reactions.
• Reports significant findings or changes in the patient's condition to the registered nurse, Team Manager, or Physician and documents reports in clinical notes.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment for the patient and family.
• Maintains accurate documentation including clinical notes on interdisciplinary charts.
• Utilizes a wide variety of supportive and technical nursing skills in carrying out specific medical orders.

Patient and Family Interaction:

• Establishes therapeutic relationship with patients/families and invites their participation in the plan of care.
• Initiates and performs nursing protocols based on patient's needs relating to physical comfort and mental well-being.
• Participates in patient/family teaching during daily care.

Professional Development:

• Participates in regularly scheduled in-service programs and appropriate community educational offerings.
• Cooperates with education and research activities as assigned.

Schedule:

• Participates in Nurse LPN/LVN on-call rotation/schedule as assigned.
• Willing to work on a flexible schedule, including weekends or rotating shifts.

Requirements:

• Must have and maintain transportation for work with required liability insurance and license.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an approved school of Practical/Vocational nursing.
• Currently licensed to practice nursing in the state where the VITAS program is located.
• At least one year of satisfactory nursing experience, ideally in a hospital on an adult medical surgical unit.

Restrictive Guidelines in Care Delivery:

• Does NOT make initial patient nursing care assessments.
• Supervised by a Registered Nurse.
• Reports to the applicable Team Manager.

Essential Functions/Physical Demands:

• Assist in lifting and transferring patients, as required.
• Lift objects in excess of 20 pounds.
• Stand or walk in excess of one hour per day.
• Talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Required to sit and stoop, kneel, and crouch.