Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

VITAS Healthcare • Saint Cloud, FL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The LPN/LVN administers nursing care according to the plan of care to terminally ill patients admitted to the VITAS program, in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act in the State where the VITAS program is located. This role involves providing direct skilled bedside nursing care, evaluating patient/family needs, and assisting in the preparation and execution of the interdisciplinary plan of care. The LPN/LVN performs selected acts in the care of the terminally ill under the supervision of a registered nurse, including administering treatments and medications, evaluating their effectiveness, and monitoring patient reactions. They report significant findings or changes in patient condition to the registered nurse, Team Manager, or Physician and maintain accurate documentation. The position requires utilizing a variety of supportive and technical nursing skills, assisting the interdisciplinary team, and establishing therapeutic relationships with patients and families. The LPN/LVN also participates in patient/family teaching, plans and carries out professional growth, and cooperates with education and research activities. On-call rotation and flexible scheduling, including weekends and rotating shifts, are also part of the role.

Requirements

• Must have and maintain transportation to be used for work with required liability insurance and license.
• Graduate of an approved school of Practical/Vocational nursing.
• Currently licensed to practice nursing in the state where the VITAS program is located.
• At least one year of satisfactory nursing experience, at least one year of which is an LPN/LVN in a hospital on an adult medical surgical unit.
• Equivalent experience may be considered.
• Does NOT make initial patient nursing care assessments.
• Supervised by a Registered Nurse
• Reports to the applicable Team Manager

Responsibilities

• Provides direct skilled bedside nursing care.
• Evaluates patient/family needs and assists in the preparation and execution of the interdisciplinary plan of care for each patient on the team.
• Performs selected acts in the care of the terminally ill under the supervision of a registered nurse; such acts include the administration of treatments and medications.
• Evaluates effectiveness of treatments and monitors patient’s reactions.
• Reports significant findings or changes in the patient’s condition to the registered nurse, Team Manager or Physician.
• Documents reports in clinical notes.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment for the patient and family.
• Maintain accurate documentation including but not limited to clinical notes on interdisciplinary charts.
• Evaluates patient/family response to care.
• Utilizes a wide variety of supportive and technical nursing skills in carrying out specific medical orders for administration of medication, performing specific treatments, monitoring diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive measures.
• Assists the interdisciplinary team in the designing and delivering of interdisciplinary plan of care.
• Establishes therapeutic relationship with patients/families and invites their participation in the plan of care to ensure, as much as possible, their being able to function as independently as possible.
• Initiates and performs nursing protocols based on patient's needs relating to physical comfort and mental well-being which include, but are not limited to, positioning, mobilizing, bowel and bladder elimination, skin and wound care, personal hygiene and communication.
• Participates in patient/family teaching during daily care relative to understanding the illness and its treatment; maintaining of activities of daily living; self-care and self-medication, prevention and recognition of complications and preparation for discharge and follow-up.
• Plans and carries out a program of professional growth including, but not limited to, participating in regularly scheduled in-service programs and appropriate community educational offerings.
• Cooperates with education and research activities as assigned.
• Participates in Nurse LPN/LVN on-call rotation/schedule as assigned in order to meet the needs of patients and families.
• Is willing to work on flexible schedule, i.e., weekends or rotating shifts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree