Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Overview

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), in collaboration with a Registered Nurse, utilizes the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure quality nursing care and to maximize the quality of life for the patients. The LPN is an integral member of the clinical support team, and collaborates with other multidisciplinary members to meet the clinical needs of the patients. The LPN is an active supporter of culture change initiatives and serves as a role model and mentor to others.

In addition, the LPN will demonstrate a strong commitment to the philosophy and mission of Hebrew SeniorLife and recognize patient’s dignity and choice in all aspects of daily life. They are an active participant in the activities, work, and social environment of the units, and strive to make every patient encounter into a positive and meaningful experience and opportunity, while ensuring the provision of safe and efficient quality care.

Responsibilities

II. Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates empathy and compassion in all interactions with patients and families
• Articulates the importance of supporting independence and patient choice when caring for patients
• Demonstrates strong communication skills and ability to foster teamwork
• Articulates commitment to excellence and high-quality care
• Articulates the importance of accountability and personal ownership related to teamwork and patient care
• Demonstrates strong critical thinking skills
• Demonstrates ability to coach and mentor others to achieve high-quality care

III. Position Responsibilities:

• Ensures all care delivered is within the scope and established standards of safe professional nursing practice with core care competencies
• Collaborates with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MD, NP, nurses, social worker, therapists, dietician) to meet the clinical needs of the patient and monitor outcomes of care
• Adheres to best practice recommendations and implements evidence-based interventions to ensure optimum outcomes for patients
• Practices in a primary nursing model and maintains accountability for a set of assigned patients with RN oversight of assessment and care planning
• Collaborates and participates in care planning activities and supports autonomy and individual choice wherever possible
• In collaboration with the RN, ensures the plan of care is an accurate reflection of the patient’s individualized needs and ensures that the plan of care is followed and revised as necessary
• Documents pertinent information regarding care delivered in designated areas of patient’s record using the electronic medical records
• Initiates necessary reports including DPH, incident, and concern resolution reports
• Identifies and seeks out necessary resources as needed to ensure the provision of safe and effective care
• Delegates and supervises clinical care delivered by the nursing assistant
• Assumes accountability for his/her own learning needs and professional development
• Demonstrates critical thinking abilities related to problem resolution
• Role models professional behavior
• Actively participates in shared governance, committees, etc.
• Collaborates in the development of new work processes and systems
• Serves as a resource and support to the PCAs in the unit
• Identifies and responds to safety concerns on the unit
• Maintains compliance with policies, procedures, practices, regulatory matters, and HIPAA compliance
• Participates in the collection and monitoring of quality data to ensure high standards of care
• Participates in performance improvement projects
• Participates and assists with unit activities as needed (i.e., assist with serving meals)
• Serves as a coach and mentor to patient care associates
• May be assigned charge nurse responsibilities with RN oversight, including:
• Giving shift report to oncoming staff
• Providing clinical/supervisory oversight to the unit during a shift
• Delegating assignments to team assigned to shift
• Auditing/ensuring completion of admission or discharges during shift with the RN’s cosign
• Attending rounds (wound, physician, etc.)
• If acting in the capacity of charge nurse, may develop patient care assignments, create schedules, and contribute to performance evaluations and educating other staff on HSL policy and procedure
• The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, which would be in conformity with the level of the position. Completes special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of approved school of nursing required
• Current Massachusetts license as an LPN in good standing
• Previous experience preferred
• Understand the philosophy and support the model of care at HRC required
• Must be professional, proactive, collaborative, conscientious, and results-oriented individual. Must have an optimistic and positive demeanor, excellent oral and written communication skills, good intuition, and be able to adapt to changing priorities and display good, sound judgment
• Superb organizational skills. Must have solid analytical skills
• Must have the ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and handle even difficult situations
• Must be motivated to learn and flexible to change
• Computer literacy required
• Excellent English language skills, verbal and written