Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), the LPN/ED administers compassionate care by maintaining standards of nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients/families.  Encourages team members and supports their contribution. 

1. Collects and documents data on each assigned patient on an ongoing basis to include but not limited to the normal systems review, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors. Specific ages: neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric.
2. Performs basic and/or advanced nursing tasks, as appropriate for the department/unit.
3. Records and reports to the RN all observed abnormal and/or significant findings to include but not limited to symptoms, abnormal drainage, reactions, responses to treatments, medications, and changes in the patient’s condition.
4. Maintains basic cardiac rhythm monitoring
5. Provides and documents patient (significant other) education based on physical, behavioral, psychological,
6. developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.
7. Documents all patient care activities and/or observations according to policies and procedures
8. Performs IV therapy as outlined in DCH policy of IV catheter insertion.
9. Manages Med Control calls when requested to do so.
10. Performs and/or assist with various orthopedic procedures/splint applications.
11. Assist physicians with examinations, treatments, special test and procedures as directed by the RN.
12. Assist with observations of assigned patients, including monitoring of vital signs, patient needs, request - reports to team leader as indicated.
13. Performs environmental cleaning and restocking assignments; assures adequate supplies available.
14. Transports patients throughout the hospital in timely, safe manner.
15. Assist with maintaining equipment in good working order and keeps it in proper place.
16. Assists with maintaining a clean safe environment.
17. Assist with orientation of new staff.
18. Attends in service programs, required training/education and unit/department/service meetings.
19. Provides for safety of all ages of patients during transport.
20. Works appropriately with persons of varied ages and sociological background.
21. Demonstrates the ability to recognize changes in the patient’s condition and reports it to the appropriate caregiver
22. Performs phlebotomy procedures
23. Provides all personal care services in accordance with the plan of treatment assigned by the Registered nurse to include but not limited to

• • measure and record intake and output
  •  measure and record vital signs, O2 Saturation, weight, height
  •      positioning patients; lifting and turning patients;
  •      applying/utilizing special equipment;
  •      assisting in use of bedpan, urinal or commode;
  •       ambulating the patient;
  •     pre-operative and post-operative care;
  •     application/removal of anti-embolism stocking and SCD devices;
  •         removal of foley catheters;
  •      perineal care; vaginal irrigations (non-sterile); sitz baths
  •   non-medicated enemas;
  •    application of heat and cold;
  •     care of the incontinent patient;
  •    skin care to the immobilized patient;
  •   removal of saline lock,
  •     emptying of colostomy bags;
  •     application of appliances for heat and cold;
  •       performing blood sugars.
  •   placing patients on cardiac monitors   
  •    set up of oxygen per nasal cannula at 2L/min
  •  feeding patients
  •     collecting, labeling, and transporting of lab specimens. 

                24. Performs initial and annual competency per job class. Specific ages: neonates, pediatric, adolescent, and adult and geriatric as defined by scope of service.

25. Applies safety principles and safe patient handling and mobility concepts to the performance of specific techniques of personal and supportive care, such as ambulation of patients, transferring patients, assisting with normal range of motion and positioning and transporting of patients.
26. Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment and nursing units are maintained in a clean,   safe manner
27.  Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors, and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors, and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Current Alabama LPN License required.  As of March 1, 2019 current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required. Must have basic computer skills to support the use of electronic medical record, e- mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.  Previous experience as paramedic and in direct patient care setting preferred.

Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

WORK CONTEXT

• Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion
• Dealing with unpleasant or physically aggressive personalities
• Must be able to deal with conflict
• Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately
• Must be able to receive delegation
• Must be able to work in groups
• Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work
• Must be meet time pressure and time lines
• Must be able to perform in exact and accurate manner
• Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting
• Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions
• Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking
• Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction
• Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, stoop and lift
• Must be able to run in an emergency
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner and must be able to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range
• Must possess stamina to work 12-hour shift
• Physical presence onsite is essential