Licensed Practical Nurse - Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Department of Veterans Affairs•Syracuse, NY

42d•Onsite

About The Position

Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies, and competency in caring for adult and geriatric residents. Patients receiving care in the ambulatory care, acute care, long term care, and psychiatric settings. Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies, and competency in caring for adult and geriatric residents. Patients receiving care in the acute care, spinal cord injury (SCI), or community living center (CLC) are being treated for any number of medical and psychological conditions. Given the nature of their disease process patients may express intent to harm either themselves or others (suicidal or homicidal ideations) or exhibit behaviors that place the patient at risk for harm or elopement. Some examples of these behaviors include but are not limited to confusion, delirium, and interference with medical devices (e.g. intravenous lines or indwelling urinary catheters). In order to maintain the patient's safety, patients may be assigned a 1:1 sitter. The LPN provides care to the patient under the direction of the RN assigned to care for the patient. Explains procedures to residents, using language which they understand and displaying consideration of individual resident needs. Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for resident-centered care. Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation. Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet patient care needs. Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions. Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff, the health care team, unit staff, residents, and visitors. Provides emotional support to residents, and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status. Establishes constructive relationship with individual residents to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Hospice/Palliative care needs are supported as needed based on resident self-determination. Fosters an environment of respect for individual resident and family/significant other rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Serves as Veteran's/family/significant others' advocate. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with residents, family members/significant others and/or internal/external customers. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments, including assignments for, long-term, short-term rehabilitation, respite, hospice/palliative care, and psychiatric residents requiring skilled nursing care. Demonstrates ability to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the resident's condition. Completed work needs only a general review by a RN for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments.

Responsibilities

Explains procedures to residents, using language which they understand and displaying consideration of individual resident needs.
Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for resident-centered care.
Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation.
Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet patient care needs.
Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions.
Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff, the health care team, unit staff, residents, and visitors.
Provides emotional support to residents, and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status.
Establishes constructive relationship with individual residents to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills.
Hospice/Palliative care needs are supported as needed based on resident self-determination.
Fosters an environment of respect for individual resident and family/significant other rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery.
Serves as Veteran's/family/significant others' advocate.
Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with residents, family members/significant others and/or internal/external customers.
Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments, including assignments for, long-term, short-term rehabilitation, respite, hospice/palliative care, and psychiatric residents requiring skilled nursing care.
Demonstrates ability to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the resident's condition.
Completed work needs only a general review by a RN for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments.