Licensed Practical Nurse (Nights) - Emergency Department

UPMC • Altoona, PA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Licensed Practice Nurse (LPN) in the Emergency Department working 0.9 full-time, night shifts with rotation, including every other weekend and holiday rotation. Shifts are from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM (36 hours/week). This is a union position with AFSCME. The minimum starting pay is $21.53/hour, with potential for an additional $2 per hour through the Night Program for qualified individuals with at least 6 months of experience and a commitment to full-time night shifts. A sign-on bonus of $12,500 is available for nurses with 1 or more years of experience, and $10,000 for those with less than one year of experience. Candidates hired into a sign-on bonus eligible role will be asked to make a two-year work commitment. The LPN functions as a member of the nursing team, providing direct patient care and other related activities. They are responsible for the environmental and physical management of assigned patients, including factual observation and reporting. The LPN administers oral and intravenous medication when assigned by the registered nurse in charge.

Requirements

• Must have a temporary permit or a valid license as a practical nurse in the State of Pennsylvania
• Must successfully pass the Altoona Hospital pharmacology challenge exam.
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Must complete licensure examination within FOUR MONTHS of hire or within one year of graduation, whichever comes first.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) OR Temporary Practice Permit (TPP)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
• Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

Nice To Haves

• LPNs who have graduated outside the state of PA on any date, or graduated in PA prior to August 25, 2012, and did not complete a PA state approved LPN IV course, the LPN will need to complete a 5-hour online module which is followed by a test and a 3-hour in person course which will be provided by the UPMC Altoona Education Department within 4-months of hire or transfer.
• GPNs take the licensure examination within 4 months of their start date or they will be terminated or demoted from the GPN position, at the discretion of the BU.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for meals and nourishment; serve and collect trays; assist with feeding, including tube feedings; provide fresh water and between-meal snacks.
• Perform tasks such as cleaning utility room cupboards, collecting and bagging soiled linen, and cleaning, sterilizing, and storing instruments and equipment.
• Assist patients with toileting, collect and label specimens, and help with bed mobility, turning, lifting, positioning, and ambulating.
• Understand and address the needs of patients with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders using appropriate assessment and intervention techniques.
• Observe, report, and document unusual symptoms, condition changes, and care provided according to unit policies.
• Provide recreational and/or diversional activities for patients as directed.
• Assist in direct patient care and respond effectively in emergencies.
• Adhere to universal precautions and established occupational exposure policies.
• Use restraints and protective mechanisms as directed, and complete necessary documentation.
• Handle and store medications per established procedures.
• Clean and maintain the medication cart and supplies.
• Keep the team leader informed of issues related to medication administration.
• Prepare and administer various medications as ordered by a licensed physician or dentist, under the supervision of a registered nurse.
• Demonstrate knowledge of medication and IV therapy administration.
• Count narcotics with a registered or licensed practical nurse at the end of the shift.
• Administer PRN medications following RN assessment.
• Record all medication administration data accurately.
• Follow the Standards of Practice for using the Pyxis System.
• Respond promptly to nurse call systems.
• Escort patients to and from designated departments.
• Maintain patient rooms and equipment; perform terminal cleaning in the absence of environmental service aids.
• Assist the registered nurse with patient admission, orientation, transfers, and discharges as directed.
• Provide patient care that ensures safety and comfort; follow instructions from registered nurses and established routines.
• Administer treatments as assigned, such as catheterizations, catheter irrigations, oral and nasal suctioning, enemas, dressing changes, and perineal care, in accordance with training.
• Assist with other procedures as directed.

Benefits

• Night Program ($2 per hour on top of off-shift differential)
• $12,500 sign-on bonus available for nurses with 1 or more years of experience
• $10,000 sign-on bonus available for nurses with less than one year of experience (includes GPNs)
• Two-year work commitment for sign-on bonus eligible roles

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree