Purpose:
The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for providing resident care and to perform those tasks that require a valid nursing license. General responsibilities include obtaining vital signs; administering medications; administering treatments; coordinating and documenting resident care; communicating with physicians and other health care providers; interacting with family members; and supervising the direct care provided by Certified Nursing Aides. Nurses will perform only those tasks within the scope state regulations for assistant living and within the scope of their applicable board of nursing. All wellness employees report directly to the Memory Care Director.
Scope & Status: Non-Exempt Status/Hourly
Memory Care Licensed Practical Nurses report directly to the Memory Care Director. In addition, all nursing staff must adhere to current physician orders and the State Board of Nursing.
Relationships:
Interaction and coordination with:
a. Key management staff, department directors and direct care staff
b. Consultants and/or Vendors
c. Physicians, Nurses and Health Care Providers
d. Residents, family members, support groups and referral sources
e. Federal, County, State and City officials
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform and complete each essential duty satisfactorily, have excellent communication and language skills which enable to interact effectively with residents and community personnel. Employee must meet all specific state and federal regulations for assuming the position of a Licensed Practical Nurse and/or a Registered Nurse at a congregate assisted living facility. Experience working with the Geriatric population is required. An on-going formal training program is required. The following certifications, licensure, registration and/or training are required for this position: valid licensure as a licensed practical nurse and/or a registered nurse; current CPR, First Aid and Standard Precautions Certification; high school diploma; graduate of an accredited nursing college or university.
Areas of Responsibility:
1. General
a. Promotes a positive, respectful, and supportive environment for all residents, co-workers, families and guests.
b. Assists in the welcome and orientation of new residents/families.
c. Wears an identification badge with licensure credential while on duty.
d. Practices excellent time management skills and completes tasks according to physician orders within company established time frames.
e. Participates and represents the wellness department during staffing meetings. Ensures effective communication occurs between wellness employees assigned to different shifts.
f. Embraces the leadership role of managing resident care given by the Personal Assistants during an assigned shift. This would include, but not be limited to monitoring Vigil response time, monitoring the daily assignments of the Personal Assistants, and taking the lead on shift exchange reporting.
g. Maintains state and federal regulations and actively participates during regulatory surveys and reviews as requested by the Memory Care Director.
h. Responds to state requests for information within the state required time frames. Immediately notifies the Memory Care Director and/or the Executive Director regarding any federal, state or local agency request(s) for information.
i. Adheres to the Resident Rights and promotes dignity and respect among all residents and care givers.
j. Attends in-service and monthly staff meetings.
k. Maintains current valid license to practice nursing.
l. Maintains working knowledge of fire and disaster plans and has working knowledge of their own responsibilities under emergency conditions.
m. Reports to work according to schedule and company policies, including severe weather situations.
n. Expands personal development, skills and critical thinking in nursing as it relates to older adults and long-term care.
o. Performs filing tasks as directed by the Memory Care Director.
p. Adheres and supports the policies and procedures of Blake Management.
q. Maintains a working knowledge and demonstrates acceptable performance skills in:
1. Resident rights and responsibilities.
2. Respect for residents’ belongings.
3. Respect for residents’ privacy.
4. Respect for residents’ religious beliefs.
5. Respect for interpersonal relationships with family and other staff members.
6. Confidentially of medical information and file maintenance.
2. Resident Services and Continuity of Care
a. Accomplishes duties observing all appropriate safety practices and policies.
b. Delegates authority and tasks to qualified staff according to state law and regulations.
c. Recognizes changes in residents’ conditions, reports changes promptly to the Memory Care Director or Director of Wellness, communicates changes and action taken to the family as appropriate and notifies physician according to company policy and procedures.
d. Utilizes wellness department systems to review lab results, document resident care and monitor resident health status.
e. Obtains and records accurate vital signs.
f. Utilizes progress notes and communication forms effectively and in a timely manner.
g. Provides training and orientation to new employees as requested by the Memory Care Director.
h. Assists residents with activities of daily living as needed.
i. Assists with and administers medications according to physician orders. Performs documentation according to the state Board of Nursing and company policy and procedures.
j. Obtains and documents resident weight according to the service plan, state regulations and physician orders.
k. Obtains vital signs prior to administering blood pressure and cardiac medications according to physician’s orders.
l. Provides treatments, including but not limited to wound care, Accu-checks, injections, eye drops, ear drops, and general respiratory treatments according to physician’s orders and within the scope of the state board of nursing.
m. Consults with the Memory Care Director and/or the Executive Director to determine whether specific treatments require the use of external resources, such as home health care, outpatient rehabilitation, hospice, DME or if discharge to an institution providing a higher level of care is necessary.
n. Observes for any signs of resident abuse, neglect or exploitation. Reports and responds to any suspected, alleged and/or actual abuse according to company policy and state regulations.
o. Reports, documents and responds to incidents and urgent situations according to company policy.
p. Provides follow-up, intervention and supervision for residents who have had a recent change in condition. Communicates effectively and documents all actions taken.
q. Promotes resident safety and implements fall prevention programs.
r. Promotes and assists residents participating in memory enhancement and performance improvement programs.
s. Assists with activities as requested by the Executive Director and/or the Memory Care Director.
t. Assists and performs duties necessary to maintain a clean environment that promotes well- being.
3. Critical Success Factors
a. Models teamwork and consistently demonstrates professional and compassionate care.
b. Ensures that appropriate follow-up is performed in response to a resident’s well-being.
c. Supervises and oversees unlicensed staff providing assistance with medication administration and personal care.
d. Participates and directs staff during fire safety and elopement drills according to company policy and governmental regulations.
e. Demonstrates leadership skills that positively influence the behavior of others.
f. Is adaptable and flexible according to current census and resident needs.
g. Organizes care efficiently and uses organizational skills to coordinate health care services.
Physical, Sensory & Mental Requirements:
Primary Physical Requirements:
1. Lift up to 10 lbs.: Frequently required to lift medical charts, supplies, and residents’ personal items, i.e., clothing and food items.
2. Lift 11 to 25 lbs.: Occasionally may be required when dealing with boxes, files or medical equipment.
3. Lift 26 to 50lbs.: Occasionally required when assisting with resident care.
4. Lift over 50 lbs.: Required when transferring a non-ambulatory resident weighing over 100 pounds. Two aids are typically utilized when resident is unusually heavy or combative. Employee must follow specific protocols related to individual resident’s care and transfer procedures.
5. Reach above shoulder height: Occasionally occurs when reaching for medical records, supplies, and linens located on shelves.
6. Reach at shoulder height: May be required when assisting residents in eating, when changing bed linens, when taking vital signs, providing treatments and when assisting with certain activities of daily living.
7. Reach below shoulder height: Occasionally occurs while providing treatments, taking vital signs and/or assisting with activities of daily living.
8. Push/Pull: Frequently required when assisting a resident in a wheelchair: which rolls easily across tile, vinyl or carpeted floor.
Hand Manipulation:
1. Grasping: Frequently grasping while working with files, answering the phone, assisting during resident care and/or completing documentation.
2. Handling: Assisting with residents’ personal items, blood pressure gauge, thermometer, and other equipment related to activities of daily living.
3. Supplies and Equipment: Blood pressure gauge, thermometer, wound care supplies, diabetic supplies, syringes and other nursing care items.
Other Physical Consideration:
1. Twisting: Occasionally may occur while transferring resident.
2. Bending: Frequently occurs while taking vital signs, assisting residents in activities of daily living.
3. Squatting: Occasionally may occur while communicating with a resident in a wheelchair and/or when assisting with certain activities of daily living.
4. Kneeling: Occasionally may occur while assisting with resident care.
5. Stair Climbing: Occasional. Elevators are available.
6. Sit-to-Stand: Frequent.
7. Sitting: Frequent for long periods, occasionally up to 2 to 3 hours at a time.
Work Surface:
Varies from carpeting, vinyl to tile. When seated, typically an office-type chair.
Cognitive and Sensory Requirements:
1. Talking: Necessary for communicating with residents, family members, other aides, and other members of the community. Must be able to speak English fluently.
2. Hearing: Necessary for taking instruction from physicians and requests from residents. Must be able to understand English fluently.
3. Sight: Necessary for doing job correctly and effectively. Must be able to write and read English fluently.
4. Smelling: Smelling is required for accurate maintenance and detection of wounds, urinary tract problems, etc.
5. Reading and writing: Necessary for written communication and following written instructions
Summary of Occupational Exposure: Category I – Job classification in which employee has occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $30.00 - $31.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
