Home Care LPN - Full-time

The Home Care LPN position will work 80 hours bi-weekly, Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm. Holidays required.

Frederick Health’s Home Care has exciting things happening. Be part of the dynamic changes taking place and work with a diverse healthcare team committed to providing the highest quality care to our community. Frederick Health values the knowledge, skill and time the Home Care team dedicates to our patients, and recognizes this by:

• Providing a new hourly pay structure that replaces a per visit rate. RNs and LPNs are paid for their time and receive applicable shift differential for weekend, holiday, or off shift work.
• Established a productivity rate to ensure you spend more quality time with your patients.
• Home Care staff participate in organizational and unit based committees/councils. Nurses are encouraged to share in the decision making process that affects the care delivery model and patient outcomes

Frederick Health values the safety of all our staff.  All Home Care staff receive safety training specific to the Home Environment of Care as part of orientation in addition to receiving a personal safety alert device.  

Job Summary

Under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse and/or the Clinical Manager/Supervisor, provides patient care using the nursing process and performs teaching duties necessary for efficient patient care.  Depending patient population served by designated department, the LPN may provide patient services to the infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric populations.  Supports and participates in continuous quality improvement activities.  Functions within the limits of the State and Federal licensing and regulatory bodies.

This position supports the Frederick Health mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy and adheres to the Frederick Health Compliance Program, including following all regulatory requirements and the Frederick Health Standards of Behavior.

Essential Functions:

• Performs patient plan of care as created by the interdisciplinary patient care tea, in compliance with departmental nursing policies and in accordance with the State LPN Nurse Practice Act.

o Performs patient/family education and teaching.

o Performs wound care using aseptic technique. 

o Performs blood draws.

o Performs vital signs and pain assessment.

o Performs physical assessment.

o Communicates findings to supervising registered nurse, supervisor, or Physician.

o Works in cooperation with family/caregivers and team members to meet the emotional needs of patients/ families.

• Documents according to departmental and federal, state and regulatory requirements.

o Medication List

o Patient care rendered

o Interdisciplinary communication/case conferences

o Documentation is submitted according to department policy

o Patient education

• Uses department resources appropriately

o Efficient use of time/mileage

o Appropriate use of department/patient supplies /equipment

o Demonstrates flexibility in meeting patient care needs related to department staffing levels

• Care Coordination activities in conjunction with the case manager

o Coordinate with other disciplines

o Scheduling visits related to plan of care to meet patient care needs and ordered visit frequency

o Discharge planning 

o Communicating patient status and changes in condition to Registered Nurse and other disciplines involved in care of patient.

• Participates in activities, which may include infection control reporting, adverse drug event reporting and other quality improvement activities

o Reports all patient new infections to the supervising registered nurse.

o Follows universal precautions with every patient.

o Reports suspected adverse drug event to supervising registered nurse.

• Attends and participates in required departmental meetings as scheduled.

• Assumes responsibility to attend continuing education programs that meet own individual needs, hospital and regulatory requirements.

•Initiates and sustains, as needed the implementation of orders for medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the plan of care.

o Transcribes orders on Medication Administration Sheets with 100% accuracy.

o Administers ordered medications with 100% accuracy.

o Reports Adverse Drug Events appropriately.

o Documentation of medication administration is complete with 100% accuracy.

o Performs narcotic count at beginning/ending of shift.

o Disposes of medication according to protocol.

• Provides a safe environment of care. Uses equipment properly.

o Uses Proper hand washing techniques.

o Carries out basic infection control procedures.

o  Disposes of dressings and other wastes according to protocol.

• Assumes responsibility for job development. Attends required education programs and attains minimum required continuing education hours applicable to practice in addition to meeting mandatory requirements.

o Assists in orienting new employees.

o Stays informed of department/hospital events by reading minutes or attending staff meetings 100% of time.

Additional Essential functions for Kline Hospice House LPNs only:

•Prepares meals for residents

o Follows menu plan and uses safe food handling method.

o Assist residents as necessary.

o Monitor resident care and safety during mealtime.

o Documents meal intake percent appropriately.

•Provides general housekeeping and laundry duties.

o Follows housekeeping log and documents appropriately.

o Consistently maintains resident room cleanliness.

o Maintains linen closets in a neat manner.

o Washes residents’ laundry separately.

o Performs other household duties as assigned.

•Makes rounds adhering to clinical guidelines.

o Anticipates resident needs and responds to call lights promptly and courteously.

o Consistently and accurately performs resident and room checks to assure a safe environment with awareness of risk to fall and frequent turning.

•Orients residents and visitors to Kline Hospice House in a courteous and effective manner.

o Initiate, reviews, and revises resident/family checklist as appropriate.

o Carefully and safely handles residents’ clothing and other personal items.

o Provides a tour of the KHH as appropriate.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates clinical competency in area of practice.  Hospice philosophy, principles of death/dying.

• Has excellent observation, assessment, organizational and communication skills, and good nursing judgment.  Ability to provide good written documentation in a timely manner.

• Self-directed with the ability to work with little supervision.

• Is flexible and cooperative in fulfilling role obligation and has ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.

• Demonstrates knowledge of and proper use of equipment listed on the Department Specific Competency Tool.

• Effective use of proper body mechanics when handling patients, supplies, and equipment.

• Demonstrates effective communication skills and cooperation with team members in a respectful manner.

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Required:

• Currently licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Maryland.

• Possesses and maintains current CPR certification.

• Minimum of one-year recent experience as an LPN in home health care, hospice, or nursing home facility.

• Must be a licensed driver with a reliable vehicle that is insured in accordance with state and/or organizational requirements.

Patient Contact:

If applicable, must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills in providing appropriate care/contact for patients in the following age groups:

___Neonate (0 thru 30 days)

_X__Infant (31 thru 12 months)

_X__Child (13 months thru 12 years)

_X__Adolescent (13 years thru 17 years)

_X__Adult (18 years thru 65 years)

_X__Geriatric (66+ years)

If applicable, must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status.  Possess the ability to interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the unit’s/department’s policies and procedures.

Physical Demands:

Medium-Heavy Work – Lifting up to 75 pounds on an infrequent basis (less than one lift every three minutes) and/or carrying up to 35 pounds while walking.  Pushing or pulling up to 115 pounds infrequently or greater than 115 pounds occasionally (no more than once per hour).

Ergonomic Risk Factors:

Repetition:  Repeating the same motion over and over again places stress on the muscles and tendons.  The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the speed of the movement, the required force and muscles involved.

Forceful Exertion:  The amount of physical effort required to perform a task (such as moving patients) or to maintain control of equipment or tools.  The amount of force depends on the type of grip, the weight of an object or person, body posture, the type of activity and the duration of the task.

Awkward Posture:  Posture is the position your body is in and its effect on the muscle groups that are involved in the physical activity.  Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting, working overhead with your hands or arms, or holding fixed positions.

Working Conditions:

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Risk:   Category A – WILL have exposure to blood or body fluids.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to Clinical Supervisor or Manager.  Receiving direction from a Registered Nurse during Patient care.

Caring for you as you care for the CommUNITY
Frederick Health offers a comprehensive and affordable benefits package. Health, Dental and Vision insurance are offered the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment to all employees hired to work at least 20 hours per week and we offer multiple plans to best meet your and your family's needs. Life insurance, Short-Term Income Replacement and Long-Term Disability are employer paid for eligible employees. Frederick Health offers a robust Paid Time Off program for eligible employees. Our 403B retirement plan helps you save for your retirement and includes an employer match to eligible employees. All employees have access to free financial planning sessions. We also offer an educational assistance program to support your education goals as well as an employer paid Employee Assistance Program. 

Pay is based on experience, skills and education.   If position is part-time, salary will be pro-rated based on scheduled hours.  The pay range may also vary within the stated range based on specialty if applicable. Non-Exempt positions may have shift differential and/or Overtime paid, if applicable.

Pay range: $24.48 - $33.00