Employment - Licensed Practical Nurse
Job Description:
Reports To: Assistant
Director for Health Services
Primary Function:
Responsible for implementation of medication
administration and nursing plans, procedures, and protocols for assigned
clients. Assume all responsibilities of Support Staff job
description (# 2.4.5.4) and LPN job description (#2.4.10). Coordinate
nursing operations with, and communicate health issues including scheduling and
planning actions to, Assistant Director of Health Services and other
management.
Responsibilities:
1. Serves
as a resource person to Comcare, to the teams, and to program facilities as
requested. When not involved with medical responsibilities, or when other staff
need immediate assistance or as requested by management the LPN will engage in
direct client support.
2. Acts
as client advocate, when necessary, to facilitate the promotion, maintenance
and achievement of health.
3. Follows
doctor’s orders as written for each client.
Communicates physician’s orders to supervisor, Medical
Coordinator and, as indicated, to staff and oncoming nurses.
4. Represents
agency in relating to medical personnel in a professional and courteous manner.
5. Utilizes
opportunities to educate clients in health care. Educate staff and family as appropriate.
6. Sees
that medical appointments are scheduled and kept within required time frames.
Maintains log of when appointments are due.
7. Maintains
medical and/or adaptive equipment in a safe working condition. Immediately reports unsafe conditions to the
Supervisor for the area served. Safely
operates all equipment used in job setting.
8. Uses
supplies in a cost effective and efficient manner. Assists in the ordering of
supplies.
9. Orders medications and supplies from the
pharmacy in order have available for administration/use.
10. Demonstrates
a knowledge of, and utilizes, the agency's infection
control policies, including good hand washing.
Utilizes the designated medical waste containers
appropriately.
11. Assesses
clients and their health needs on a daily basis, reviews status of clients with
the on-coming nurse and reports any changes or concerns to the Supervisor
and/or directly to the physician.
12. Disposes of contaminated syringes in the
medical waste containers provided.
13. Initiates and maintains accurate client
records.
14. Documents
nursing observations and actions and client’s progress toward goals in client’s
permanent record using Nursing Notes, Medical Monthly {Progress Report}
and other forms as indicated.
15. Assists
with development, review and modification of nursing plans and the ISP for
individual clients.
16. Assures
that nursing actions are consistent with the recorded nursing plan, ISP and
physician’s orders.
17. Provides
or assists in direct care of clients using independent nursing actions when
warranted.
18. Provides weekly foot and nail care to
clients who have special needs.
19. If
necessitated by situation, returns to residence to assess and assist with the
health care of the clients during off duty hours.
20. Maintains
communication with Legal Representatives, Independent Support Coordinators and
State personnel as appropriate.
21. Provides
first-aid and other medical treatments to clients as appropriate.
22. Completes
diagnostic testing as appropriate. Uses
diagnostic equipment or supplies accurately.
(Includes blood glucose monitor, blood pressure cuff,
etc.)
23. Maintains
knowledge about special needs of clients’ diets, modified diets, textures,
special feeding instructions and American Diabetics Association diet.
24. Follows Policy 4.4.1 Medication
Administration.
25. Updates
Health Passport, Medication Administration Plan and other medical protocols as
needed.
26. LPN's
may be moved to different programs to meet client needs.
27. Attends
weekly staff meetings, monthly nursing meetings and, as appropriate, meetings
related to client programming (ISP, Circle of Support).
28. Assumes other responsibilities as
requested by management.
29. Is flexible in location assignments which may be made on a
temporary basis to meet client needs.
Qualifications:
Education: High School Diploma or
equivalent required; Graduate of a Licensed Practical Nurse program;
Currently licensed as an LPN in
Experience: Minimum one year of LPN clinically
relevant experience preferred.
Experience with developmental disabilities preferred.
Knowledge: Must have knowledge of, and
technical skills at, medical nursing procedures, first aid and basic principles
of nursing, C.P.R. Must know or learn
about mental retardation and seizures.
Ability
to be insured as a vehicle driver by agency's insurance program.
A valid driver's
License.
Good knowledge of basic English sufficient to read instructions, keep records
and write reports.
Successful
completion of background and reference check.
Successful
completion of a drug screen.
Successful
completion of medical examination that documents that employee is free of
communicable disease and is capable of performing the physical requirements of
the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to intervene
physically on an occasional basis with aggressive and violent clients
including, but not limited to, the ability to engage in quick and exertive
holding, stooping, bending, twisting,
and turning.
Ability
to lift or physically assist clients in daily activities, including, but not
limited to, assistance in transfers, eating, bathing, dressing, and toileting.
Ability
to perform repetitive bending and exertion movements daily including, but not
limited to, those found in bed making, lifting laundry, and mopping.
Ability to perform
small hand movements daily including, but not limited to, those involved in the
hand assembly of small manufacturing parts.
Mobility sufficient
to climb stairs daily and easily, enter and exit vans daily, and occasionally
engage in running.
Ability
to lift and carry boxes or manufacturing components daily with weights up to 60
lbs.
Ability to engage in
physical exercise several times a week with clients including, but not limited
to walking, playing basketball, playing softball, and pool exercise.
Visual and auditory
ability to meet clients' needs and assure their safety.
Emotional Requirements:
Ability to handle appropriately the stress which is created by job situations including, but not limited to, noise, conflicting demands for time and attention, and physically and/or verbally aggressive/combative clients.
If you are interested in this employment opportunity, please contact us:
Comcare Inc.
100 Pennsylvania Ave.
Greeneville, TN 37743
Voice: 423-638-3926
Fax: 423-638-1105
info@comcareinc.com