LPN Weekend - Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health

Independence Health System Careers•Latrobe, PA

11h

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a member of the health-care team who exercises sound nursing judgment and provides direct and indirect care to an assigned group of patients under the direction and supervision of an RN. Care follows the plan derived from physician orders and the RN’s assessment, and includes physical care, emotional support, and patient and family education. This position serves Adult and Adolescent Units and requires availability for weekend work; a special weekend rate applies. The LPN contributes to admission data collection, focused assessments, individualized care planning, reassessment, patient education, medication and treatment administration, rehabilitation, documentation, and coordination of care. The LPN reports patient changes to the RN, collaborates with health-care providers, promotes patient safety and infection control, supports quality improvement and regulatory readiness, and may serve as a preceptor or mentor. The employee may be scheduled according to operational need, including rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work, and may travel locally between System locations. Work may involve direct patient care and exposure to blood and body fluids, chemicals, and other listed workplace conditions. Required protective equipment during a pandemic includes goggles, a face shield, and a mask according to CDC guidelines. For lifts exceeding 50 pounds, two-person assistance and/or a transfer device is required. The role involves physical activities including bending, sitting, walking, standing, stair climbing, kneeling, squatting, twisting, computer operation, grasping, fine finger manipulation, pushing and pulling, patient transfers, reaching, and lifting.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Practical Nursing.
Zero to two years of experience in behavioral health.
Current licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Pennsylvania.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED curriculum.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance.
Strong leadership ability and good organizational skills.
Independent and critical-thinking skills and sound judgment.
Knowledge of the legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Availability for both Adult and Adolescent Units.
Availability for scheduling based on operational needs, including rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work.

Nice To Haves

Previous LPN experience.
Experience in a health-care setting.

Responsibilities

Provide direct and indirect patient care in accordance with Pennsylvania Practical Nurse Law, hospital policies and procedures, protocols, and professional standards of care.
Assist the RN with admission data collection and focused, ongoing assessment of patients’ physical, psychosocial, age-related, cultural, and spiritual needs.
Work with the RN to implement individualized, age-specific plans of care and evaluate their effectiveness.
Assist the RN with reassessment and take appropriate action according to patient needs and unit policy.
Involve patients, families, and other health-care providers in care when appropriate.
Complete patient-care activities within scheduled time periods and maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
Observe, record, and report patients’ symptoms, reactions, changes in physical or mental condition, and relevant interpersonal stresses to the appropriate professional.
Perform nursing functions permitted by Pennsylvania regulations, including administering prescribed medications, immunizations, and therapeutic treatments, and preparing and caring for patients receiving specialized treatments.
Assist with patient rehabilitation, encourage patients’ interests and aptitudes, support activities of daily living within their capabilities, and apply principles of range of motion, body mechanics, alignment, and prevention of deformities.
Assist with patient education, including assessing readiness to learn and barriers, adapting education, and providing resources tailored to patient needs.
Educate patients on safe and effective medication use, pain management, available resources, obtaining further care, and their responsibilities in care.
Provide and review written discharge instructions upon the RN’s request, supporting discharge planning and continuity of care.
Maintain collaborative relationships with physicians and other health-care providers to support patient outcomes and continuity of care.
Communicate pertinent information for interdisciplinary conferences, shift reports, and internal and external transfers.
Report changes in patient condition to the RN and confer with the RN when reassessment, a care-plan change, or physician contact may be needed.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities, assist with data collection, and recommend modifications to improve care and customer service.
Demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, accountability, appropriate delegation, resourcefulness, and patient advocacy; seek supervisor assistance when appropriate.
Serve effectively as a preceptor or mentor to new hires and/or students.
Assist in maintaining or decreasing organizational and departmental costs.
Support compliance with State, TJC, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements and participate in continuous survey readiness.
Participate in the non-punitive medication-reporting system and maintain narcotics accountability according to policy.
Follow infection-control processes and standard precautions to reduce infection risks.
Promote patient safety, use two forms of patient identification before care, and involve patients and/or families in safety processes.
Minimize restraint use and, when clinically warranted, monitor patients according to assessed needs and document according to policy.
Assume an appropriate code-team role during code situations, including internal and external disasters.
Perform other duties as assigned.