License Practical Nurse, LPN - Merrimack Family Medicine

Job Profile Summary 

​This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders.  In addition, this role focuses on performing the following duties: Functions as part of the health care team in providing safe and effective therapy for assigned patients under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. Participates in the implementation and evaluation of patient care. Requires an LPN license.  A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs.  The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education.   An entry level role that applies broad theoretical job knowledge typically obtained through advanced education.  May require the following proficiency:  work is closely supervised, problems faced are not typically difficult or complex, and explains facts, policies and practices related to job area. 

Job Overview 

The LPN works under the direction of the registered nurse and utilizes the nursing process in the planning, implementing and evaluation of nursing care to the patient.  This role collaborates with other members of the team in providing health information within the framework of supportive and restorative care.  The LPN may collect data on the health status of the patient, in conjunction with other members of the health care team, for the identification of health goals.  The LPN assures care for patient and families that is reflective of the organization's core values. The Licensed Practical Nurse is knowledgeable about and supportive of the primary nursing model. 

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Massachusetts's Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). 

2. Experience is dependent upon unit requirements and needs. 

3. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Instructor. 

2. Graduation from an accredited practical nursing program. 

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Applies the skill necessary to implement the medical/nursing plan of care, nursing interventions, medication administration, and procedures necessary for the care of the patient under the direction of the Registered Nurse. 

2. Provides direct patient care within the primary nursing model to ensure continuity of care for all patients within their caseload in a safe efficient manner maintaining the patient's rights and dignity at all times. 

3. Performs technical aspects of patient care (medications, treatments, etc.) safely, according to the established policies and procedures and Nurse Practice Act. 

4. Assess and reassess pain.  Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.  Documents pain management. 

5. Communicates all changes in the patient's condition immediately to the Registered Nurse. 

6. Bases all nursing interventions on pathophysiological and psychosocial rationale. Delivers care in a fiscally responsible manner. 

7. Establishes a positive relationship with the patient and family. Introduces self to patients and families as the patient's nurse. Provides teaching and counseling for patients/families according to their needs and ability to understand. Documents teaching on the appropriate teaching tool.   

8. Reviews/educates the discharged patient and family to ADL's, medications, treatments, and provides appropriate discharge instruction sheet(s). 

9. Documents all nursing interventions and the patient's response in the medical record for all assigned patients. 

10. Delegates responsibilities to others with an understanding of their roles, knowledge and capabilities. 

11. Participates in performance improvement activities as requested, utilizing performance improvement principles to support and improve patient care.   

12. Holds self accountable for professional practice and presents self in a calm and professional manner. Keeps current with changing practices and interventions in patient care through lifelong learning. 

13. Maintains a collaborative work relationship with peers and colleagues in order to create a positive work environment. 

14. Reports pertinent observations and reactions regarding patients to the appropriate person (i.e., physicians, clinical manager, or charge nurse) and records those observations accurately and concisely. 

Physical Requirements:  

1. Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking. 

2. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfer patients and equipment. 

3. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching. 

4. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc. 

5. Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases and other transmissible infections. 

6. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. 

7. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. 

8. Handle emergency and crisis situations. 

9. Subjected to irregular hours. 

10. May have contact with hazardous materials. 

Skills & Abilities: 

1. Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, physicians, and healthcare team. 

2. Knowledge and application of the nursing process to implement a nursing plan of care. 

3. Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. 

4. Demonstrates the skills and knowledge to provide care to the age groups of the population served including: Knowledge of growth and development; Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care; and provide age-appropriate communication. 

5. Demonstrates essential knowledge of pharmacology/medications in administering drugs and monitoring the patient's response.