Elder Services - Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct, individualized nursing care to Elders residing at the House of Respect, working within the objectives, standards, policies, and scope of practice of the department. The role works under the direction of the Executive Director and Director of Nursing and cooperates with members of the nursing and healthcare team. The LPN participates in planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care and care plans, and provides care under the supervision of a registered professional nurse. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week. It may occasionally serve as a first-line supervisor when the Executive Director of Elders Wellness Services or Director of Nursing is absent, overseeing CNAs, and may provide on-the-job training or orientation to new employees. Compensation is based on a salary matrix; the posting states that salaries are market competitive and directs applicants to contact the employer for accurate salary information. The role requires professional, culturally sensitive care for Tribal Elders, attention to client dignity and privacy, and consistent compliance with confidentiality, safety, ethical, and departmental standards. Work is performed in an office setting and involves frequent employee contact and interruptions; the noise level is usually moderate and physical exertion is low to moderate. The position requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, handling, reaching, and communication; regular lifting or moving of up to 100 pounds; one-person transfers and repositioning of bedbound patients; and tolerance for periodic contact with pet hair, dust, mold, mildew, and household cleaning solutions.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
Current Washington State Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license, which must be maintained.
At least two years of Elder care experience within the last four years.
Demonstrable triage and assessment skills.
Experience with, or ability to work with, an Electronic Medical Health Record System.
Intermediate computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets.
Knowledge and understanding of HIPAA and other relevant policies, with the ability to incorporate confidentiality into daily work habits.
Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance; must sign a release to obtain a Washington State driving abstract.
Must have or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification within the first 90 days of employment.
Must pass a criminal background check before employment and periodically thereafter; may be required to submit to random drug testing.
Ability to make independent decisions in routine client-care matters and take initiative and responsibility for decisions.
Ability to prioritize client needs and provide excellent care in the client’s home or residence.
Ability to maintain ethical conduct, integrity, honesty, professionalism, privacy, and confidentiality.
Ability to promote a safe and efficient work environment and comply with policies and procedures.
Ability to maintain proper attendance and punctuality and participate in meetings, in-services, and departmental activities as requested.
Ability to communicate ideas, information, and directions effectively, verbally and in writing; read and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write routine reports and correspondence; and speak effectively with Elders, residents, and family members.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts, including proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume, and apply basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to solve practical problems in situations with limited standardization and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
Ability and knowledge to work closely with Tribal Elders; treat community members with respect and dignity; be culturally sensitive; and tactfully manage difficult and emotional situations.
Ability to operate a personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile machine, photocopier, and other office equipment.
Ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English and concentrate to produce accurate work.
Ability to perform frequent standing, walking, sitting, hand use, reaching, talking or hearing, and repetitive upper-extremity movements; occasional or otherwise specified climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
Ability to regularly lift or move up to 100 pounds, perform a one-person transfer in routine and emergency situations, and reposition a bedbound patient alone.
Ability to tolerate periodic contact with dog or cat hair, dust, mold, mildew, and household cleaning solutions; required vision includes close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Provide direct and individualized nursing care to assigned Elders at the House of Respect under the supervision of a registered professional nurse.
Observe, document, and report Elders’ conditions and reactions to medications and treatments.
Prepare, administer, and record medications and treatments according to provider orders and established LPN protocols.
Prepare equipment and assist with resident treatments, examinations, and testing as needed.
Share responsibility for planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care and care plans.
Participate in team conferences and share knowledge, information, and ideas with team members.
Participate in hospice and end-of-life care.
Record residents’ conditions and nursing interventions accurately, completely, concisely, and promptly in resident records.
Assist with ordering supplies weekly and as needed.
Assist with health education for Elders and their families, including helping residents understand aging and adjust to age-related changes.
Maintain professional boundaries, ethics, confidentiality, and the safety, health, well-being, and privacy of clients and their personal effects.
Communicate frequently with the supervisor and use appropriate communication channels.
Follow facility, Tribal, and departmental policies and procedures; maintain attendance, punctuality, and requested dress standards; and attend meetings, in-services, and departmental activities as requested.
Use materials, equipment, and time safely and cost-effectively, and organize work to complete responsibilities in a timely manner.
May occasionally oversee CNAs when serving as a first-line supervisor in the absence of the Executive Director of Elders Wellness Services or Director of Nursing.
May provide on-the-job training or orientation to new hires or employees new to the department.
Perform other duties as assigned.