Licensed Practical Nurse - Charlottesville - Hospice of the Piedmont Inc.

Description

Job Description:

Summary:

• Delivers quality patient care and comfort measures to patients emphasizing physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivers nursing services in accordance with Hospice policies.
• Provides and documents care at bedside utilizing the EMR.
• Assists the physician or registered nurse in performing specialized procedures.
• Administers prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with nursing standards.
• Observes, records, and reports patient's condition and reaction to drugs and treatments to RN.
• Performs patient/family services conforming to the Hospice Plan of Care and within Hospice policies and practices.
• Reports any changes in patient's needs and condition to RN case manager or team leader in such form and timing as to conform to Hospice policies and procedures.
• Assists in interpreting Hospice services to patient and family.
• Communicates regularly with Interdisciplinary Team to assure effective coordination of patient care.
• Participates in QA programs, as needed.
• Attends required meetings and participates in committees as requested.
• Participates in professional development activities and maintains professional affiliations.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Completes other assignments and tasks as requested.

Requirements:

• High School Graduate or GED
• Graduation from an accredited school of practical nursing
• Licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• One or more years of relevant nursing experience required
• Hospice home care or nursing home experience preferred
• Knowledge of the principles and skills needed for practical nursing to provide patient care and treatment
• Knowledge of medications and their effects on patients
• Knowledge of patient education principles to develop a self-care program
• Skill in taking vital signs
• Ability to manage all aspects of terminal care, health team service coordination, and documentation
• Basic knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement regulations
• Emotionally mature and caring individual willing to give support and assistance to terminally ill and their families
• Basic to Intermediate proficiency in word processing software
• Basic understanding of and experience with office equipment
• Ability to write reports, correctly reflect treatment and document client progress
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, patient's family, medical staff, and the public
• Ability to maintain quality control standards
• Ability to recognize problems and recommend solutions
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Ability to work with and maintain confidentiality of patient data
• The ability to work as a member of the intra-disciplinary team.
• Due to the nature of services provided, it may be necessary at times for employees to work beyond scheduled work hours to ensure adequate patient care
• Must demonstrate basic computer skills.

Working Conditions:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk to hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, sit and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to walk, taste or smell. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and carry it 15 feet. Must be able to push up to 200 pounds in a wheelchair. Must be able to bend down and lift objects from the floor and demonstrate proper body mechanics.
• Incumbent must be able to communicate by way of telephone. Regular use of computer screen is required to complete tasks. Ability to drive and to negotiate steps.
• Noise level is low. Physical and emotional health necessary for the accomplishment of position duties. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment.

Additional Requirements:

• Driver's license, personal automobile, and current automobile liability insurance
• Frequent travel may be required