Licensed Practical Nurse

La Rabida Children's Hospital•Chicago, IL

9d•$24 - $39

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides safe, developmentally appropriate nursing care to pediatric patients and their families in an outpatient/ambulatory setting, serving patients from infancy through adolescence and, when applicable, young adulthood. The LPN practices under the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, organizational policies, demonstrated competencies, and established pediatric ambulatory nursing standards. The role works under the direction of an RN, APRN, physician, or other authorized healthcare provider as appropriate and within applicable law and policy. The LPN contributes to the nursing process by collecting and reporting patient data, implementing established plans of care, performing authorized interventions, reinforcing established patient and family education, documenting care, and promptly communicating changes or concerns. The role supports safe, family-centered care, efficient clinic operations, patient flow, and collaboration across the outpatient care team. Responsibilities include direct patient care, medication and immunization administration, point-of-care testing and specimen collection, ordered treatments, preventive services, and assistance with examinations and procedures. The LPN also manages assigned electronic health record tasks and work queues, coordinates communications and follow-up within scope, documents patient interactions, and escalates needs requiring RN assessment or provider decision-making. The role supports quality and safety, infection prevention, regulatory compliance, clinic operations, and professional teamwork. Independent clinical triage, comprehensive RN assessment, independent nursing diagnosis, and development or modification of the nursing plan of care are not assigned to the LPN. The position is in a pediatric outpatient clinic with a variable shift. Compensation is USD 24.39–39.03 per hour.

Requirements

Graduate of an approved practical nursing education program.
Current, unrestricted Licensed Practical Nurse licensure in the State of Illinois.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for healthcare providers from an organization accepted by hospital policy.
Knowledge of pediatric growth and development.
Ability to provide developmentally appropriate, family-centered care.
Knowledge of medication and vaccine administration principles.
Ability to recognize and communicate changes in patient condition.
Ability to work effectively under the direction and clinical guidance required by the LPN scope of practice.
Strong communication, teamwork, organization, and time-management skills.
Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced pediatric outpatient environment.
Ability to use electronic health records and other clinical technology required by the department.

Nice To Haves

Previous nursing experience is preferred.
Pediatric, ambulatory, primary care, specialty clinic, community health, or other relevant pediatric experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct nursing care within the LPN scope of practice, competency, organizational policy, and established plan of care.
Collect and document patient information, including vital signs, height, weight, pain score, medication history, allergies, and assigned clinical data.
Observe patients for changes in condition and promptly report abnormal findings, symptoms, or concerns to an RN or appropriate licensed provider.
Implement established nursing interventions and provider orders, and perform authorized treatments and procedures.
Use pediatric growth and development knowledge to provide age-appropriate care and comfort to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
Prepare patients and families for examinations, procedures, treatments, and diagnostic testing; assist clinicians during examinations and procedures.
Administer medications and routine pediatric and adolescent immunizations within scope, according to orders, policy, safety standards, and demonstrated competency.
Complete medication and vaccine safety checks and document administration in the electronic health record and applicable immunization systems.
Perform competency-approved point-of-care testing and specimen collection; label, handle, and route specimens according to procedures.
Support preventive health services, age-appropriate screenings, health-maintenance activities, and assigned follow-up needs.
Reinforce patient and family education established by the RN or provider regarding medications, treatments, preventive care, and follow-up.
Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and appropriately stocked patient-care environment; prepare rooms and support patient flow.
Recognize urgent or potentially emergent concerns and immediately escalate them according to clinic policy.
Communicate patient information and changes in condition to appropriate members of the healthcare team.
Accurately and promptly document care, observations, medications, immunizations, treatments, screenings, education, and communications in the EMR.
Review and manage assigned EMR tasks, messages, work queues, and buckets throughout the workday and within departmental turnaround times.
Manage assigned forms, letters, medication-related requests, prior authorizations, and other administrative or clinical tasks within scope; obtain provider review or signature when indicated.
Assist with prior authorizations by gathering clinical information, completing documentation, communicating with relevant parties, and routing matters requiring RN or provider review.
Communicate test results only when authorized and according to established protocols; escalate abnormal, critical, unclear, or concerning results for clinical review.
Route tasks requiring independent assessment, triage, interpretation, diagnosis, prescribing, or changes to the plan of care to an appropriate RN or licensed provider.
Follow assigned EMR tasks through completion or provide documented reassignment or handoff; prioritize time-sensitive needs and escalate safety concerns.
Collaborate with providers, RNs, medical assistants, care managers, pharmacy and laboratory staff, registration staff, and others to resolve patient needs.
Support care coordination by communicating established plans, assisting with follow-up, and identifying barriers for escalation to appropriate team members.
Use approved interpreter services and communication resources for patients and families with communication needs; provide respectful, age-appropriate, culturally responsive communication.
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and organizational privacy requirements.
Follow hospital policies, the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, and applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Follow infection-prevention practices, medication and vaccine safety requirements, and equipment and point-of-care testing safety procedures.
Identify equipment malfunctions and safety concerns, remove unsafe equipment from service, and report concerns according to policy.
Participate in quality-improvement initiatives, quality metrics, safety reporting, regulatory readiness, emergency preparedness, drills, and response procedures.
Maintain current licensure and required certifications; complete mandatory education, annual competencies, and departmental education on time.
Report to the assigned work area prepared for the scheduled shift; participate in clinic opening, closing, stocking, safety, and operational duties as assigned.
Provide appropriate handoffs of outstanding patient-care needs before breaks, transfers, or departure from the clinic.
Perform other duties consistent with licensure, competency, organizational policy, and applicable law.