DEPARTMENT: Skilled Nursing

POSITION TITLE: Per Diem Licensed Practical Nurse

RESPONSIBLE TO: RN, Nurse Manager, Director of Resident Care Services

EXPOSURE LEVEL: Category I

GRADE: 3

EXEMPTION STATUS: Non-exempt

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SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, provides direct care and medical treatment to residents including medication administration and assistance with activities of daily living. Provides effective, timely, and quality health care assistance and related support for nursing facility residents.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Nursing

Administers and records prescribed medications and treatments per physician orders.

Answers residents call lights promptly and ensures that residents who are unable to call for help are checked on regularly, and determines how to assist them.

Measures and records resident’s vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.

Provides basic care and treatments ordered by the physician.

Observes residents, charting and reporting changes in resident conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking necessary action.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Direct Care

Provides assistance to CNA's in resident care (ie. Grooming, bathing, dressing, feeding, etc.)

Assists residents with lifting, turning, moving, positioning, and transporting residents into and out of beds, chairs, bathtubs, wheelchairs, and lifts, etc

Assists residents to walk with or without self-help devices as instructed.

Assists with the care of the dying resident, maintaining hope, dignity, and love for the resident at all times.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Supervision

• Supervises CNA's on assigned unit.
• Provides feedback to CNA's through performance evaluations, etc.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Communication/Reporting

Participates in and receives the nursing report on assigned shifts.

Maintains the confidentiality of all resident care information according to the St. John’s Policy on Confidentiality and Resident Rights.

Reports suspected abuse of a resident or inappropriate behavior toward a resident to the charge nurse immediately.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Safety

Obeys safety rules of St. John’s United

Identifies, reports, and/or corrects obvious safety hazards

Attends mandatory safety in-services

• Utilizes proper body mechanics when transferring residents.

Follows established policies and procedures regarding exposure to blood/body fluids

Wears and/or uses safety equipment and supplies (e.g., gait belts, mechanical lifts, personal protective equipment).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Mission/Customer Service

Supports the growth and actively engages in the Eden Alternative philosophy, including a work environment with plants and animals.

Follows the St. John’s Guidelines for Customer Service

• *Let the Mission be your guide
• *Make eye contact and smile
• *Greet & welcome each and every person
• *Seek out personal contact
• *Provide immediate service-listen & act
• *Use appropriate body language at all times
• *Be gracious to each & every person

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION: Employee Responsibilities

Follows policy and procedures on annual TB testing.

Follows policy and procedures on annual influenza vaccinations.

Attends all mandatory in-services

Attends and participates in scheduled training and educational classes to maintain current license in accord with the State of Montana.

Performs other duties as assigned by Nurse Managers or Director of Resident Care Services.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Requirements: Must be licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Montana. Previous work experience in a health care setting preferred.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required:

• Knowledge and skills acquired through completion of a State Certified License Practical Nursing Program.
• Skill in observation of human behaviors or changes of condition.
• Ability to understand written and verbal communication. Ability to interact effectively and professionally with residents, family members, and coworkers.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to lift and manipulate heavy objects.
• Ability to understand and follow safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to use various health care supplies and equipment, including blood pressure devices, thermometers, wheelchairs, lifts, and oxygen suppliers, etc.
• Ability to understand and to contribute to resident charts and care plans.
• Ability to relate to and work with the ill, elderly, disabled, emotionally upset, and at times, combative people within the facility.
• Ability to respond to residents needs in a timely and professional manner, recognizing the resident’s rights.
• Ability to deal with stressful situations (ie. Death & Dying).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Requires moderate physical work more than 70% of the time, including lifting up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting, walking, and bending for prolonged periods of time.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work involves some exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Work involves frequent exposure to hazards, bloodborne pathogens, or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.
• Normal health care environment.
• Work involves exposure to plants and animals within the environment.

The examples of essential job functions identify the major duties and requirements for the performance of this job and do not identify all duties, responsibilities and requirements performed by positions in this class.