LPN HOME CARE

Job Description Summary

A professional member of the VNA team, responsible for complete care of all assigned patients within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act, regulations of the State Board of Nursing and the policies and procedures of the Home Care Division. The LPN is responsible and accountable for making decisions and providing care according to these regulations.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1 - Performs all skills, treatments, procedures competently and within the regulations and licensing laws of the State Nurse Practice Acts, institutions’ and department policies, and other applicable local and federal laws.
   a - Coordinates and communicates with other clinical team members any changes in the patients' medical or physical condition resulting in a change in the plan of care.
   b - Completes required documentation to communicate changes in the plan of care, or changes in medications, treatments or visit frequency.  
   c - Performs comprehensive physical and psychosocial re-assessment at each visit
   d - Assesses pain every visit using appropriate pain scale tool based on patient's abilities and completes documentation as required.
   e - Evaluates outcome of pain and symptom control measures, creates a plan for management of symptoms in collaboration with the RN, teaches patient and family as needed and documents all necessary information.
   f - Demonstrates knowledge of Visiting Nurse Association’s policies and procedures for administering and recording medications.
   g - Adheres to the Fall Risk Assessment Process and completes documentation as required.
   h - Individualize Pathway, Tasks and Directives, to guide skilled care for scheduled visit.
   i - In collaboration with RN case manager determines appropriate visit schedule based on patient acuity.
   j - Communicates at a minimum of weekly with supervising RN to discuss patient status and revisions to the plan of care as established by the RN with input by the LPN.

2 - Demonstrates the skills and judgment necessary to implement medical and nursing Plan of Care, nursing interventions and procedures as necessary for the care of the patient.
   a - Demonstrates knowledge of commonly used medications:  action, dose, and side effects and readily utilizes resources for research.
   b - Observes the rights for medication administration:
     a.    right patient
     b.    right drug
     c.    right dose
     d.    right method
     e.    right time
     f.   right documentation
   c - Demonstrates proper procedures in all methods of medication administration.
   d - Assesses and documents IV site, patency and fluid administration, when applicable.
   e - Maintains accurate medication profile and reviews medication profile with the patient/family/caregiver at each home visit.
   f - Completes DRR and medication reconciliation upon admission and with every new medication.
   g - Demonstrates knowledge of commonly used medications' action, dose and side effects, and readily utilizes resources for research.

3 - Performs routine nursing responsibilities and other general tasks required to provide for the safety, emotional, spiritual, and physical comfort of the patient(s), based on established care plan.
   a - Collaborates with all members of the interdisciplinary team to meet the needs of the patient.
   b - Communicates with other clinical team members any changes in the patients' medical or physical condition resulting in a change in the plan of care.
   c - Participates in and initiates patient care conferences as needed.
   d - Involves and documents patient/family/caregiver participation in Plan of Care.

4 - Reassesses the identified problems, care provided and patient’s responses in order to meet patient and family needs to assure overall quality of care.
   a - Assists in assessment of patient needs; then plans, implements, and documents nursing care under the direction of an RN.
   b - Based on reassessment, the Plan of Care will remain the same or modified to meet the patient/caregiver’s identified needs and notification of any changes will be communicated to nurse manager or designee.
   c - Assesses the patient/caregiver’s response to teaching plan in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan.
   d - Observes the patient’s condition and reports changes of condition and the need for nursing measures beyond her/his knowledge to nurse manager or designee.
   e - Assesses and addresses comfort/pain level each visit utilizing appropriate pain tool based on patient ability.

5 - Maintains up–to–date and accurate documentation of nursing care provided to assure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team, in order to assure quality care.
   a - Each identified problem must be addressed and appropriately documented in the patient record.

6 - Patient Management
   a - Makes scheduled home visits to patients during the day or evening shift, as evidenced by documentation in the clinical record and nursing day sheet or daily log.
   b - The LPN demonstrates responsibility and accountability for the plan of care for each patient on caseload under the direction of a Registered Nurse.
   c - Schedules and prioritizes nursing visits according to patient status.
   d - Maintains Agency standard of productivity as per team standard.
   e - Provides verbal/written update of Plan of Care to third party payors as required. 
   f - Orders durable medical equipment (DME) and/or supplies as needed.
   g - Arranges and obtains lab results per MD order.
   h - Coordinates and communicates any changes in the plan of care to the appropriate members of the interdisciplinary team.
 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education - Preferred

Required graduate of an accredited LPN program.

Minimum Work Experience

Two (2) years of recent experience in acute care facility or homecare.

Required additional Knowledge, and Abilities

Demonstrated clinical competence in relevant area of nursing practice.
Effective and well developed communication skills.
Ability to deal well with people.
Ability to multi task.
Ability to utilize problem solving skills.
Ability to confront and resolve issues.
Ability to motivate others.
Ability to work as a member of a team.