Position Title: LPN                                                                          

Employee Status: Non-Exempt/Exempt                                  Reports to: Team Leader/Director of Nursing

Purpose/Summary Statement:

The purpose of this position is to observe and implement nursing care of residents within the skilled nursing setting with the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Responsible for ensuring continuity of care of the residents between shifts by providing direct care as well as supervising the care given by the Certified Nursing Assistants and supportive staff members. Participates in resident and family teaching. Maintains role as resident advocate with a focus on the Mission and Approach of the facility and organization.

Essential Tasks and Functions:

• Observes residents on admission and on a daily basis as well as when conditions change. Documents appropriately including Minimum Data Sets under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Observes the resident's condition and nursing needs, prescribes appropriate nursing action.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the resident and family regarding pain management.
• Documents changes in residents’ conditions and nursing care on progress notes and care plan.
• Ability to perform waived testing (point-of-care testing) per Clinical Laboratory's and the resident care unit's policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret results of waived tests; take appropriate action on waived test results.
• Administers medications and follows the five (5) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Performs all aspects of resident care in an environment that optimizes resident safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Meets current documentation standards and policies.
• Has knowledge and ability to use the organization's electronic health records system.
• Notifies physician of changes in resident's condition and follows through until appropriate action is taken.
• Notes and carries out physician's orders in a timely manner.
• Follows through as needed on information given by shift report, resident or family regarding resident concerns.
• Has knowledge of HIPPA regulations.
• Implements plan of care of the resident based on assessments and goals established by the interdisciplinary care team.
• Treats residents and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of residents and their families.
• Supervises other members of the healthcare as needed to accomplish the plan of care which has been developed.
• Demonstrates competence in technical and manual skills according to scope of practice for LPNs/LVNs.
• Functions as a resident advocate by protecting the resident's rights.
• Interacts with residents, families, co-workers, managers and other department personnel in a kind, knowledgeable and friendly manner.
• Consistently involves resident and family in planning for care, treatment, teaching needs and discharge plans.
• Initiates and leads resident care conferences and updates plan of care, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates creativity in solving problems and looking at situations in new and innovative ways.
• Functions as a leader for the Certified Nursing Assistants, delegates in a manner that contributes to the excellence of the nursing unit to which LPN/LVN is assigned.
• Participates in orientation of new personnel and assists in performance evaluations when needed.
• Follows proper infection control procedures and supervises supportive staff in infection control procedures.
• Demonstrates ability to remain calm in emergency and/or stressful situations and gives everyone a vote of confidence that the station is under control.
• Exhibits genuine interest in and appreciation of adults in later years of life.
• Is a motivated, independent individual who can organize workload so that all functions are completely appropriately.
• Report staff issues and resolutions to Nurse Team Leader/DON.
• Obtain report from nurse being relieved at shift change and record information needed to take appropriate follow up action.
• Conduct rounds of all assigned residents at specified intervals, including mandatory beginning and end of shift rounds to ensure all care issues are addressed within and throughout the shift.
• Provide report to nurse coming on duty with sufficient detail to permit follow up action as needed.
• Identify resident problems and emergency situations and initiate emergency care and notification and life saving measures in the absence of physician or other directives.
• Oversee and coordinate efforts of assigned Nursing Assistants.
• Counsel Nursing Assistants and recommend disciplinary action to the Team Leader/DON.
• Instruct nursing staff in proper clinical and safety techniques.
• Identify special nursing or emergency issues swiftly and effectively and initiate immediate life saving measures in absence of physician.
• Administer and document direct patient care, medications and treatments per physicians' orders and accurately record all care provided.
• Participate in the organization's Performance Improvement Plan including Quality Control, Quality Assessment/Improvement and Performance Improvement.
• Provide instruction in appropriate care procedures to professional and paraprofessional nursing staff as needed.
• Perform and document comprehensive observations of residents as requested.
• Assume primary responsibility for the development of Resident Care plans for assigned residents.
• Promptly report changes in resident condition to the physician, DON and responsible party, and take follow up action as necessary.
• Follow facility admission procedures and communicate resident admissions to other departments, physicians and ancillary service providers.
• Competently perform basic nursing skills.
• Follow facility discharge and transfer procedures and coordinate discharges and transfers with other departments, physicians, and ancillary service providers.

Employee and Resident Safety:

• Follow all safety rules, policies and procedures, including building security procedures.
• Know and follow facility emergency/disaster response and evacuation procedures.
• Participate in safety events, use assigned safety equipment and PPE and encourage coworkers to work safely.
• Report observed accidents, injuries or near misses and ensure potentially unsafe conditions are corrected, either by yourself or by a qualified person.

Kingston Mission and Approach:

• Treat residents, guests and coworkers with courtesy and genuine care.
• Resolve differences in a manner that strengthens the team.
• Accept responsibility for own behavior and not shift blame to others.
• Be flexible and open to working in a changing environment.
• Recognize the contributions of co-workers.

Customer Service Expectations:

• Perform duties in pleasant, friendly manner.
• Greet residents and guests by name.
• Respond positively, effectively to requests for assistance in a timely manner.
• Notify supervisor and upper management of resident or family member concerns, complaints or requests for information.
• Provide factual information in diplomatic way.

Personal Accountability Expectations:

• Follow work rules and policies and procedures outlined in Employee Handbook.
• Complete assigned education and in-service training timely.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Ensure confidentiality, which includes maintaining a workplace free of gossip and rumors.
• Protect resident rights, report any suspected violations immediately to Management.

Position-Specific Requirements:

• Follow established facility policies and procedures to provide treatment to residents in accordance with physician orders and the resident care plan.
• Provide emergency care to residents when needed.
• Participate in the supervision and oversight of care provided to residents.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and current license as an RN or LPN in good standing in the facility's state.
• Current BCLS certification.
• Current certification in IV therapy.
• One or more years of experience in a skilled nursing facility.
• Must be organized, self-directed and highly motivated with demonstrated ability to lead and influence others.
• Must possess a positive attitude toward the elderly.
• Must be able to speak, read and understand English, follow written and verbal directions and be able to write legibly. Must have computer skills sufficient to enter and retrieve information from a computerized resident charting program and to take courses on a web based employee training program.
• Requires physical activity listed below. Visual acuity to determine the accuracy, thoroughness and quality of work assigned and completed. Aural acuity to receive detailed information through oral communication, often from persons with speech impairment. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word, often with residents with hearing impairments.
• Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds occasionally, and occasionally bear weight of 100 pounds or more.

Interested candidates may apply online at: https://www.kingstonhealthcare.com/careers