Licensed Practical Nurse (Hospice)

Description

Provides direct palliative care to terminally ill patients and their families while functioning within a medically approved plan of care. The LPN will deliver services under the direction of the interdisciplinary team and will be supervised by the RN Case Manager and Director of Nursing. 

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Accountability:

1. Reports to the RN Clinical Coordinator 

Requirements

Essential Job Functions:

1. Fosters and maintains an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, and other professional members of the community
2. Ensures exceptional customer service to patients, family members and team members
3. Follows an individualized Plan of Care established by the interdisciplinary team for each patient
4. Gathers data as assigned by the RN
5. Immediately reports any changes to the RN Case Manager and interdisciplinary team
6. Reports unusual conditions, observations, and pertinent information to the nurse
7. Understands and provides basic principles of palliative care and pain management within the Scope of Practice
8. Complies with all documentation policies and procedures
9. Completes appropriate documentation in a legible and timely manner
10. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings
11. Provides care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse
12. Provides intervention and support as needed related to terminal illness and loss
13. Provides emotional and spiritual support and makes appropriate referrals to other team members
14. Facilitates communication among patient, family, and hospice team
15. Identifies caregiver strain which may necessitate respite relief and/or support
16. Educates and assists the patient and family with coping of the terminally ill patient.
17. Provides personal care as assigned by the Interdisciplinary Team, Physician, Director of Nursing, and Supervising RN, which may consist of but not limited to:

• Home visits
• IPU coverage 
• Nursing reassessment following RN initial assessment
• Medication management and administration
• Provide comfort measures
• Insertion/maintenance/removal of foley catheters
• Insertion/maintenance/removal of various IV catheters for pain control/comfort per scope of practice and only if IV certified
• Vital signs (B/P, T, P, R)
• Assist with ambulation/transfers
• Wound care 

18. Follows the State of Nevada Nurse Practice Act during all patient care activities

19. Other duties as assigned

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Additional Functions:

1. Adheres to patient rights, abuse reporting and confidentiality policies
2. Attends scheduled staff meetings and or in-service training
3. Adheres to departmental dress code requirements related to uniform, personal grooming, and other attire
4. Participates in Performance Improvement activities as requested. 
5. Demonstrates reliability by making every attempt to report to work on time, providing proper notification for absence or tardiness and following company policies related to time off requests
6. Demonstrates effective time management skills by coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency
7. Willing to adjust or revise work schedules as requested
8. Assumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing education
9. Seeks guidance from a higher authority as needed

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Physical/Safety Requirements:

1. Must have the strength and endurance required for standing, walking, lifting, bending, and pushing on a consistent basis between 10 and 50 lbs.
2. Utilizes appropriate durable medical equipment as needed, in a safe manner
3. Uses appropriate body mechanics as needed for safe personal and patient care
4. Is subject to potential exposure of infectious waste, disease, and conditions, including TB, HIV and Hepatitis B
5. Category 1 for potential exposure to blood/body fluids. (Requires the performance of procedures or other tasks in the work routine that involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spills or splashes of them. Protective measures should be used while engaged in Category 1 tasks with exposure potential.)
6. Utilizes appropriate PPE as needed
7. Follow the designated plan of action in the event of a fire or other emergency/disaster
8. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, work-related stresses, and driving hazards
9. The individual may be required to drive to meetings with clients or health care professionals and patient’s homes
10. Must have a valid driver’s license, current auto insurance and reliable transportation
11. Must maintain current CPR/BLS certification
12. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to meet the work environmental and physical demands listed above.

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Qualifications and Experience:

1. Must be currently licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse by the State Board of Nursing in the State of Nevada
2. Prefer 1 year experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse in hospice, home health or geriatric care
3. Must be able to demonstrate basic LPN qualifications and successfully pass initial direct and indirect supervision competency items prior to direct care with a patient
4. Successful completion of a background check pursuant to NRS 449.188 and NRS 179A.100 along with a pre-employment drug screen and physical, TB testing, previous employment and reference checking, and an MVR (may include verification of education) 
5. Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
6. CPR/First Aid certification is required
7. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions
8. Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing, patients, families, and other caregivers

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Benefits:

NV Paid Leave and Paid Time Off accrual

Paid Company Holidays

Employee only HMO at no cost

401k Match

Company Paid Life Insurance