Licensed Practical Nurse ( LPN ) Neuro Vascular Unit Full Time 12 hour shifts Kalamazoo

Bronson Healthcare • Kalamazoo, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Bronson Healthcare Group is a not-for-profit organization that serves patients and families throughout southwest and south central Michigan. We offer a full range of services from primary care to advanced critical care at more than 60 locations and three hospital facilities. Locally owned and governed, we are the region's leading healthcare system and one of the area's largest employers. Our physicians and staff are nationally recognized for many exceptional achievements in quality, safety and service. We currently have openings in our Neuro Vascular Unit at our largest hospital, Bronson Methodist, in Kalamazoo. This 434 bed hospital has been designated as a Magnet facility through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an achievement reached by only 7% of hospitals nationwide. Additionally, we have been ranked as one of West Michigan's "Best and Brightest" companies to work for and are recognized as the area's Most Preferred Hospital. Neuro Vascular Unit (NVU) – 40 beds with focus on stroke, spine surgery and an epilepsy monitoring unit Under the supervision of the RN, provides prescribed medical treatment and personal care services which are within the scope of practice of practical nursing to ill, injured, convalescent, and disabled persons as delegated, appropriate to the patient's level of acuity and in accordance with established policies and procedures of the department and organization. The LPN will assist the Registered Nurse in collecting data, accompanying patients and responding to patient/family requests for services. The LPN may pass medications and administer IV therapy. Employees providing direct patient care must demonstrate competencies specific to the population served.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and successful completion of an accredited program for Licensed Practical Nursing required.
• Experience in a health care delivery setting preferred.
• Licensed Practical Nurse in good standing with the State of Michigan
• BLS certification by the end of the core orientation period
• Ability to demonstrate specific clinical competencies required to perform the functions of the LPN within a general orientation period of approximately 3 months
• Ability to move and respond quickly to emergency situations
• Ability to input and retrieve data from computerized systems
• Ability to rotate within service line and related service areas
• Must be able to effectively communicate with patients, visitors, and all members of the care delivery team; speech is clear, easily understood and grammatically correct; writing is clear and legible, demeanor is comforting and positive.
• Work which produces very high levels of mental/visual fatigue, e.g. CRT work between 70 and 90 percent of the time, and work involving extremely close tolerances and considerable hand/eye coordination for sustained periods of time.
• Involves considerable standing or walking, regular lifting of light-weight objects (i.e., 20 pounds or less) and assisting with heavier tasks such as assisting in lifting and moving patients.
• Minor straining or fatiguing positions must be assumed, and some fatiguing physical motions are required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a health care delivery setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Admits patients to the emergency department and completes preparation tasks
• Coordinates with charge nurse when patient needs exceed scope of LPN practice, when census and acuity are high, and as needed.
• Documents all data gathered and care given. Follow additional ProHealth guidelines when appropriate. Communicates status of patient to the physician.
• Maintains patient flow through the area.
• Implements skilled technical care within the limits of the LPN license and unit-specific and generic structure guidelines
• Implements appropriate protocols per physician order or in consultation with the charge nurse.
• Documents all interventions implemented by members of the healthcare team.
• Responds to call lights, monitor alarms providing assistance to patients and families.
• Collects and records patient data including food and fluid intake and output, weight, vital signs, calorie counts and demographic information
• Manages IV fluid and medication administration. Administers specified medication safely and appropriately, orally or by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, and notes time and amount on patients' charts.
• Observes patients and reports adverse reactions to medication or treatment to medical personnel in charge.
• Dresses wounds, gives enemas, douches, alcohol rubs, and massages; applies compresses, ice bags, and hot water bottles. Bathes, dresses, and assists patients in walking and turning. Collects samples, such as urine, blood, and sputum, from patients for testing.
• Prepares or examines food trays for prescribed diet and feeds patients.
• Washes and dresses bodies of deceased persons.
• Assists in delivery, care, and feeding of infants.
• Assembles and uses such equipment as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, and oxygen suppliers.
• Sterilizes equipment and supplies.
• Inventories and requisitions supplies.
• Utilizes computerized systems to acquire needed supplies and to enter patient data as defined by role.
• Maintains a clean, orderly environment
• Provides teaching materials to patients based on identified patient needs, guidelines for care, and in coordination with physicians and RNs; documents completely
• Follows through on discharge process, assists patient as needed with appointments for further definitive care, rechecks, and others; uses ProHealth guidelines and restrictions when appropriate. Completes entries in ExpressCare log for each patient.
• Participates appropriately and effectively as a member of the health care team.
• Develops and works toward achievement of own yearly professional goals and objectives
• Meets organizational obligations professionally
• Effectively precepts new employees, and other students in unit
• Communicates with the Registered Nurse about patient status, interventions completed, data collected and pertinent input to facilitate care planning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED