Licensed Practical Nurse - Acute Care Orthopedics

Job Summary

Provides direct patient care in an inpatient setting, meeting both psychological and physical needs in accordance with the plan of care, physician's orders, and nursing and department policies and procedures.

Responsibilities And Scope

• Contributes to the development and maintenance of a current, individualized, goal-oriented plan of care and consults with other health professionals to assure that the assessed needs of patient/caregiver are met.

• Observes, assesses, documents, and reports patient response to treatments/therapies and teaching, and adjusts priorities of care according to patient/caregiver needs. Collects, documents, and reports (to responsible MD or RN) data regarding patient's biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational, and discharge planning needs.

• Participates in unit, service, and/or department enrichment activities which contribute to positive outcomes such as assigned committees, CQI activities/groups, and the orientation and education of other personnel.

• Provides a broad range of treatments/therapies to patients including, but not limited to, respiratory treatments, Oral/NG/NT suctioning, and tracheostomy care, administration of medications, observation of cardiac monitors, respirators, etc. and reporting of any changes, assistance to physician with special procedures, monitoring of intravenous infusions, performs point of care testing, performs routine laboratory work, changing/irrigating catheters, specialized sterile dressings, and patient/caregiver teaching based upon the established teaching plan.

• Provides assistance to patients and families during admission to the clinical area, orientation to the hospital/clinic experience, and discharge.

• Provides support to patients and families. Verbally de-escalates frightened or potentially aggressive patients. Facilitates age appropriate coping strategies for patients.

• Ensures competency in all required skills and completes competency assessment annually per the documented competency checklist. Adheres to documented policies and processes as well as performing other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Licensed to practice as a Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of North Carolina.

• Basic Life Support (BLS)