Licensed Practical Nurse - Omaha, United States - Douglas County

Description

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, and/or designee, and in compliance with state statutes and regulations governing the practice of nursing, incumbents provide direct, hands-on, personal, high quality nursing care in accordance with established policies, procedures and physician orders. Work is governed by compliance with Douglas County Health Center (DCHC) policies/procedures, and state and federal regulations. Incumbents also provide supervision of subordinate nursing staff.

• Perform direct hands-on care in accordance with the plan of care, physician orders, and nursing standards of practice while utilizing the principles of nursing and basic physical assessment skills.
• Provide patient/resident teaching in accordance with their needs and standards of care.
• Accurately document assessments, care, teaching, and observations in the medical record., including, but not limited to, the medical needs of the individual, care provided, date and time of care, and response to care; ensure entries reflect the care plan being followed and update as needed.
• Participate in developing, implementing, evaluating, and updating individualized interdisciplinary care plans to ensure care/medical needs are being met.
• Direct and monitor Medication Aides including responsibility for observing and taking appropriate action regarding any desired effects, side effects, interactions, and contraindications associated with the medication(s) administered by a Medication Aide.
• Accompany physician on rounds and assist physician with exams and treatments as needed.
• Assist with orienting, training, evaluating, and monitoring the work of subordinates and team members, and assure adherence to policy/procedures, work rules, and state and federal laws/regulations.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with team members, families, visitors, and volunteers to create a positive and pleasant environment.
• Complete nursing rounds, assist/consult with nursing/medical staff, inform team members of the patient/resident care needs, conduct change-of-shift reports, and assign team members duties within their scope of practice.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the admissions/referrals process, recommend process improvements, and assist with pre-admission reviews/assessments as requested.
• Maintain confidentiality of department, patient/resident, and employee information, and ensure communication and documentation are in compliance with all privacy laws and regulations including the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA).
• Promptly inform Nurse Manager/House Supervisor, Registered Nurse, patient's/resident's Guardian, and Physician of any change in condition, and initiate follow-up to promote safety/care; and immediately report any suspicion/allegation of abuse/neglect/misappropriation of property to the Director of Nursing or Nurse Manager/House Supervisor.
• Review documented care plans and discharge plans, participate in updating these plans as needed, and participate in regularly scheduled reviews of the plan of care and discharge plans.
• Assist in the admission, transfer, and dismissal of patients/residents and complete all related documentation.
• Treat patients/residents, coworkers, and the public with dignity and respect at all times.
• Promptly inform Nurse Manager/House Supervisor, Registered Nurse, patient's/resident's Guardian, and Physician of any change in condition, and initiate follow-up to promote safety/care; and immediately report any suspicion/allegation of abuse/neglect/misappropriation of property to the Director of Nursing or Nurse Manager/House Supervisor
• Assist in orientation of new employees and agency personnel; serve as a mentor/preceptor to coworkers and agency/outside personnel; follow-up to ensure that they function within the scope of practice; and help others learn by teaching and being a positive role model.
• Encourage, empower, and support patients/residents whenever possible in maintaining or regaining their independence, accommodating their individual choices, assisting them in directing their own daily life, and in helping them maintain their own personal belongings according to their wishes.
• Investigate complaints and/or suggestions for patients/residents, coworkers, or the public; and take steps to remedy problems.
• Take steps to promote and maintain a clean and safe environment, and ensure that malfunctioning equipment is immediately removed from service and tagged for repairs.
• Respond to and assist with medical and psychiatric emergencies and codes at a level of competence.
• Observe, adhere to, and promote emergency/safety protocols and measures related to hazardous waste, chemical use, fire, weather, internal disasters, elopements, community disasters, and other safety matters.
• Attend and participate in staff development programs and other education programs to increase personal knowledge and abilities, promote professional growth and development, and maintain licensure.
• Participate in Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities.
• Provide and promote a positive image of DCHC; and serve as a Health Center representative for community agencies, nursing schools, and the general public.
• Report to work at assigned location with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance.
• Perform other duties as directed and assigned.

• Diploma from an accredited college or university in nursing required.
• Must be a Licensed Practical Nurse with current nursing license from Nebraska or a compact state recognized by the Nebraska Board of Nursing at the time of hire, and maintain the license in good standing throughout the course of employment.
• Must be certified in basic life support/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or complete certification within the required time frames after employment; and once certification is achieved if must be maintained throughout the course of employment.
• Experience in a healthcare environment that includes acute care, skilled rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and/or long-term care preferred.
• Experience using an Electronic Health Care Record system preferred.
• Completion of a pre-employment drug screen, criminal records check, and health review including physical abilities assessment.
• Completion of an annual health review.

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed indoors in a healthcare facility with skilled rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and long-term care patients/residents. Incumbents will be assigned to specific shifts; however, schedules may include varied days, hours, weekends, overtime, holidays, and emergency call-in. Noise level is usually moderate but could at times be extreme. Work may be fast-paced when dealing with multiple priorities and/or emergency situations.
• Incumbents may be exposed to infectious/communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, and potential risk of injury from distraught patients/residents. Incumbents must occasionally be able to independently lift up to 50 pounds and push/pull up to 50 pounds of force with grip strength of 65 pounds. Work requires physical activity including extending periods of standing, walking, and bending with occasional periods of sitting, kneeling, climbing, stooping, crouching, and balancing. Work also requires constant reaching between knee and shoulder level as well as frequent reaching below knee level and movement of elbows and arms.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance, color, and peripheral and depth perception as well as the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbents must possess hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate standard office equipment, medical devices, and other equipment.

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability/Veterans