Purpose: The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides nursing care to terminally ill hospice patients under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). The LPN administers nursing care to terminally ill patients and their families in homes, skilled nursing facilities or residential care facilities. Care is performed in accordance with physician orders and the interdisciplinary plan of care. The LPN participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care in accordance with hospice policies and within the parameters of the LPN license.
Responsibilities:
- Provides nursing services, treatments, and diagnostic and preventative procedures as assigned.
- Provides direct care to patients within the LPN scope of practice, consistent with organizational, professional and industry standards.
- Understands and adheres to established hospice policies and procedures.
- Implements the interdisciplinary nursing care plan for each patient.
- Observes signs and symptoms and reports to the physician and RN reactions to treatments, drugs and changes in the patient's physical, social and emotional condition.
- Administers oral, subcutaneous and intramuscular medications.
- Effectively communicates with care team members regarding patient concerns.
- Accepts, writes and executes orders which are cosigned by the RN.
- Teaches and counsels the patient and family regarding nursing needs.
- Evaluates with the RN the effectiveness of LPN nursing services.
- Documents accurate and complete patient information in the electronic health record, including but not limited to, patient assessments (excluding the initial assessment), interventions, patient's response to care, and all communication regarding the patient.
- Attends staff meetings, IDG and in-services as scheduled.
- Performs all required clinical skills as defined in orientation and utilizes procedure manual for all procedures.
- Participates in agency's on-call rotation as prescribed by the needs of the agency to provide nursing services to patients when required outside of office hours.
- Observes aseptic technique as required.
- Assists the patient and family in learning appropriate self-care techniques.
- Participates in hospice and community health programs as required to promote the growth and understanding of hospice philosophy, including but not limited to, hospice education presentations.
- Supervises unlicensed assistive personnel if the National Healthcare Institute's Supervisory Course has been completed or the LPN is currently enrolled as a full-time student in a RN program and is scheduled to graduate within one year.
- Must complete the Iowa Board of Nursing approved Expanded Intravenous Therapy Course for the LPN within one year of hire.
Qualifications:
- Graduate of a state approved school of practical nursing
- Current Iowa LPN License
- Minimum of one year of LPN experience preferred
- Hospice or home health experience preferred
- Acceptance of hospice philosophy and goals
- Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment
- Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider certification
- Mandatory Reporter of Child and Dependent Adult abuse training certification (within 30 days of hire)
- National Healthcare Institute Supervisory Course preferred
- Iowa Board of Nursing approved Expanded Intravenous Therapy Course for the LPN preferred
- Strong keyboarding and computer skills with the ability to learn work-related software
- Must have valid driver's license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation if driving is required
- Successful completion of pre-employment physical, drug screen, 2-step TB test and background check
Working Conditions:
- Physical requirements: Medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20
- pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Physical activities: bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, fingering and gripping and reaching
- Environment: Hazards (chemicals, infectious diseases), Atmospheric conditions (fumes, odors, dusts,
- mists, gases)
- Travel: Required between locations
- Time: Work hours based on patient-driven census model
These characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. You may be required to perform other duties to meet the on-going needs of the organization.
EveryStep is an equal opportunity employer. Employment practices are implemented without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, genetic information or on the basis of age or physical or mental disability unrelated to ability to perform the work required.
About EveryStep
One of Iowa's oldest nonprofits, EveryStep has provided health care and community services since 1908. Our team of experts are driven by a single purpose - to care for people and connect them with support at every step of their journey. Each year, we help thousands of Iowans cope in times of crisis and move forward with stability, dignity, and hope.
The diversity and breadth of our programs ensure that we can meet a variety of needs at once and provide ongoing assistance over time. More than 30 programs and services:
- Deliver in-home care to people who are ill, injured, or facing the end of life
- Offer compassionate support to families experiencing grief and loss
- Assist new and expecting parents and support the healthy development of young children
- Help Iowans navigate complicated health care and social systems
- Walk alongside refugees and immigrants arriving in our community
- Bring wellness services to places where people are
Serving Iowa from 11 locations, nearly 400 employees and hundreds of volunteers are committed to EveryStep's mission: We empower individuals, support families, and strengthen communities. There is at least one EveryStep program available to residents in every Iowa county. Every program is important and contributes to our mission.
EveryStep is an equal opportunity employer. Employment practices are implemented without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, genetic information or on the basis of age or physical or mental disability unrelated to ability to perform the work required.