LPN

Overview

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, contributes professional nursing knowledge and skills in the provision and management of care to patients through the application of the nursing process.

Full Time 36 hours/week, 7:00am-7:00pm, every other weekend

Responsibilities

CLINICAL EXCELLENCE FOCUS: Promotes the use of evidence based practice through the nursing process, protocols and procedures while under the supervision of an RN, assesses patient's status through interview, observation and physical assessment of actual problems and outcomes

Assists the RN in the development of an Skilled individualized plan of care using a collaborative approach with the patient/family and health care team. Daily monitoring and revisions with med and treatment order changes.

Uses appropriate interventions identified in the plan of care to achieve expected patient outcomes

Systematically evaluates and documents patient's progress toward expected outcomes/goals on an ongoing basis throughout the shift

Completes Skilled required documentation as appropriate, including patient chart and event reports

Demonstrates professional accountability for own practice as evidenced through seeking resources and continuing self-development

Demonstrates technical knowledge of equipment and troubleshoots when problems arise

Acquires and maintains current knowledge and skills in evidence based nursing practice

Promotes the professional development of self and team members

Shares clinical knowledge through informal teaching and in response to the learning needs of others

Completes the following assessments per IDPH regulation: BIMS interview, Mood interview, AIMS assessment & daily psychotropic monitoring

ensure diagnosis is documented by Physician on admission and ongoing for all psychotropic meds per IDPH regulation

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE FOCUS: Participates in interdisciplinary care of the patient through collaboration with team members and utilizes additional resources when necessary

Analyzes clinical situations in a systematic way and acts to obtain resources or correct problems to meet or exceed expected outcomes or patient needs

Recognizes need for assistance and utilizes resources, including physician and nurse to nurse (UAT) consultation in a timely manner

Demonstrates ownership and persistence to ensure problem is resolved in best way possible.

Able to assume assignment of non-complex and some complex patient management with some turnover in assignment

Consistently prioritizes work based on changes in patient condition, changes in assignment and unanticipated interruptions

Identifies and utilizes team resources to solve identified problems or needs

Collaborates with the health care team in the organization of tasks and activities for the patient's care from admission to discharge according to the plan of care and to meet identified expected outcomes

Works with other team members in delegating tasks and activities appropriately

Provides goal-focused shift report

Advocates with physicians on patient's behalf when necessary

Utilizes communication and teamwork strategies aimed at promoting high team performance and achieving optimal patient outcomes and unit productivity

Chooses an appropriate and meaningful communication style when interacting with others; gives and accepts constructive feedback to/from peers

PATIENT EDUCATION FOCUS: Adapts teaching strategies appropriately to meet the patient's/family's age specific needs.

Adapts teaching strategies based on patient's response, readiness to learn and level of comprehension

Takes cultural, age-specific, gender, and developmental factors into consideration when teaching patients about procedures, illness, hospital experience, etc.

Ensures patient safety in the hospital environment by following policy/procedures and adhering to National Patient Safety Goals

Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education

Utilizes SVI patient education system and other resources for patients and family members

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT FOCUS: Actively participates in data collection, analysis, problem solving and gives input on process improvements and patient satisfaction.

Assures that the care provided is consistent with standards of care, evidence based practices, national patient safety goals, core measures and other quality initiatives undertaken by the unit/hospital

Works with interdisciplinary team in identifying opportunities for improvement in patient care and patient/family satisfaction

Actively promotes and achieves customer satisfaction (patient, family, departments, physicians)

Participates in the implementation of Performance Improvement initiatives

Promptly and efficiently follows up on patient/family requests/needs - anticipates patient/family needs

Encourages coworkers in achieving excellent customer satisfaction; utilizes organizational service excellence standards

Serves on unit based councils

Identifies practice problems on the unit

Implements changes in own clinical practice based on literature and unit process improvement outcomes

Qualifications

Education

Technical School in the field of licensed practical nursing Required

License and Certification

CPR-must remain valid for 60 days following start date

Registered as Licensed Practice Nurse by state of IL.

Required English Skills

Basic oral skills

Communication Skills

Ability to respond appropriately to customer/co-worker

Interaction with a wide variety of people

Maintain confidential information

Ability to communicate only the facts to recipients or to decline to reveal information

Ability to project a professional, friendly, helpful demeanor

Computer Skills

Basic computer knowledge: Uses word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail application, and web browser. Comfortable within a Windows OS and learning new applications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Requirements:

Ability to reach above shoulder level

Ability to distinguish color

Visual acuity at normal range with or without correction

Ability to grip/grasp

Ability to stoop

Ability to crouch

Ability to push/pull 25 force in lbs.

Ability to walk equivalent to 1 mi per shift

Ability to stand for up to 4 consecutive hours

Manual and finger dexterity

Ability to hear at normal level

Ability to speak in normal tone

Ability to move/lift objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

Ability to carry objects weighing up to 20 lbs.

Ability to position patients (pull, push & lift) 50 lbs.

Mental and Emotional Requirements:

Ability to cope with various degrees of stress

Ability to make fast decisions under pressure

Ability to cope with confrontation

Ability to concentrate

Ability to be flexible & adjust to change

Ability to cope with anger/fear/hostility of others in a calm manner

Ability to assist with problem resolution

Ability to demonstrate a high degree of patience

Ability to work additional hours

Ability to adapt to shift work

Ability to handle multiple priorities in a stressful situation

Environmental Conditions:

Occupational exposure to blood & other potentially infectious materials is reasonably anticipated in the performance of the employee's duties. Skin, eye, mucous membrane, and/or parenteral contact with blood or potentially infectious material is reasonably anticipated. Additionally, the following elements are true for this position:

Mainly an inside working environment

Travel expected to locations on the Methodist Campus

Carpet and tile floors

Florescent lighting

Some limited exposure to weather conditions in all seasons

Methodist does not guarantee a latex-free work environment.

Exposure to communicable diseases

Exposure to odors (i.e., chemicals, perfumes, etc.)

Shared office space for all or a portion of the workday

Exposure to medicinal preparations

Noise levels not above a point that hearing protection is needed

Exposure to ionizing radiation, magnetic, and R/F fields expected

EOE M/F/V/D