Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Dover

Duties:

• Provide skilled nursing care, under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse.
• Perform selected skilled actions in the provision of curative, rehabilitative, palliative, or preventative nursing care.
• Responsible and accountable for making decisions based on the individual's nursing experience and educational preparation.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Registered Nurse in carrying out the plan of care.
• Assist the Registered Nurse in performing specialized procedures, as directed, by the Registered Nurse under physician's orders.
• Assist with the preparation, implementation, and continuing evaluation of the patient care plan.
• Recognise and understand the effects of social and economic problems upon patients and provide for their emotional and physical comfort and safety.
• Help teach the patient appropriate self-care techniques.
• Foster cooperative effort among personnel by understanding the functions of others involved in patient care and actively participating in team and staff conferences.
• Assume responsibility for personal and vocational growth and development through active participation in nursing organisations and in-service programmes.
• Prepare clinical and progress notes (not to include admission).
• Observe, record, and report to the appropriate person patient symptoms, reactions, and changes.
• Assist with the rehabilitation of patients according to the medical care plan.
• Further assist in rehabilitation by reporting any abnormality in the patient’s range of motion, body mechanics, or body alignment.
• Actively participate in nursing organisations; promote and participate in in-service programmes.

Treatments and Procedures:

• The Licensed Practical Nurse may perform certain treatments/procedures, provided the Home Health Agency’s policies and the State’s Regulatory Acts allow their performance.
• Only advanced LPNs, with documented skill in performing these functions, may administer medications, hang I.V.s premixed with medications, hang hydrating fluid without medications, start peripheral I.V.s, flush peripheral lines with saline or heparin solutions, inspect insertion sites, change dressings, and remove peripheral I.V. needles/catheters, calculate and adjust flow rates, and check blood with a Registered Nurse.

Job Conditions:

• The ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing, in English, is required.
• The ability to access patients’ homes, which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible, is required.
• Hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform a physical assessment of the patient's condition and to perform patient care.
• Physical activities will include walking, sitting, stooping, standing, and minimal to maximum lifting of patients and turning of patients.

Equipment Operation:

• Utilisation of calculator, multi-line telephone, copy machine, and basic medical equipment.

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited School of Practical Nursing.
• Must be licensed in the state as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
• One or more years in Home Health Agency or in a hospital setting; home health experience preferred.
• Must have a criminal background check.
• Must have current CPR certification; online certification is not accepted.