Licensed Practical Nurse - General Surgery

Summary:

Provides direct and indirect patient care services that meet the psychosocial, physical, and general aspects of care; meets the communications needs of patient and family; provides care that reflects initiative and responsibility indicative of professional expectations, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Maintains regulatory agency requirements, nursing and hospital policies, procedures, and standards. Communicates with physicians and team members about changes in the patient’s clinical condition, including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment. Additionally, is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide services based on the physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and other related criteria appropriate to the population in his/her assigned area.
• Maintains required core competencies.
• Complies with set Policies and Procedures (i.e. name tag, dress code, parking, smoking, etc.)
• Does not abuse sick or personal days. Maintains personal health, adheres to sick policy guidelines.
• Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patients age.
• Demonstrates ability under direct supervision of an RN, to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes pediatric, geriatric, and general patient populations.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on the age of the patient and the patient’s clinical condition.
• Follows the five medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Demonstrates ability to revise plan of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.
• Formulates a teaching plan based on identified patient learning needs and evaluates the effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Demonstrates an ability to assist physicians with procedures and perform services requiring technical and manual skills under the direction of an RN.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families
• Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with Social Services/Case Management regarding both in-hospital and post discharge needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care to the patient population served. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patients age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
• Consults other departments, as appropriate, to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient's needs.
• Maintains a good, positive working relationship both within the department and with our departments.
• Performs other duties as assigned with the LPN scope of practice.

Communication and Interpersonal Expectations: 

• Demonstrates communication skills necessary to interact with persons of varying ages and/or cultures.
• Answers telephone as assigned, routes calls, or takes messages appropriately.
• Supports the Mission and Philosophy of the hospital and the Department. Demonstrates an understanding and application of these policies.
• Respects confidentiality.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Utilizes the chain of command appropriately to resolve issues.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to team leader, co-workers, and physicians.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within the designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses the computerized punch time system correctly.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.

Quality Improvement:

• Participates in hospital quality activities as required.
• Participates in department quality activities as required.
• The employee will adhere to organizational/-departmental customer service standards.

Demonstrates understanding of Legal Compliance issues and their responsibilities:

• Participates in yearly legal compliance training.
• Explains departmental chain of command.
• Explains the purpose of the Legal Compliance Hotline and utilizes if indicated.
• Participates in departmental Legal Compliance plan.
• Attended Orientation/Re-Orientation
• Completed Annual Department Competencies· Recognizes and responds appropriately to ethical dilemmas; confers with appropriate resource personnel when making ethical decisions.
• Response to the patient is appropriate in an emergency or physically distressful situation.

Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate of an accredited LPN/LVN program required.
• Current LPN/LVN Licensure in the State of New Mexico required.
• Current American Heart – HeartSaver or Basic Life Support (BLS) card required. 
• Ability to read and communicate effectively in English.
• Basic computer knowledge. 

Work Schedule:

8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday

Work Type:

Full Time