LPN, Clinic- Wound Care

Lifepoint Health•Rutherfordton, NC

44d•Onsite

About The Position

LPN position in a wound care clinic. Provides direct care for patients, integrates diagnostic data, administers treatments, educates patients and families, and ensures safety and quality of care. The LPN collaborates with physicians and other healthcare professionals to implement and evaluate patient care plans. They also participate in quality improvement initiatives and maintain accurate documentation.

Requirements

High school graduate.
Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Currently licensed by the state the nurse is practicing in.
Must maintain current provider CPR certification throughout employment.
Must maintain an active status on all licenses and certifications required for the position. Failure to do so will result in a suspension from work until active status is obtained.
Computer experience in word processing, database programs and spreadsheets.
Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

ACLS certification preferred within one (1) year of employment unless required by hospital policy.
Additional wound care education preferred
One year of supervised experience as a wound care LPN/LVN preferred.
Transcription experience desirable.

Responsibilities

Provides direct care for patients in the clinic setting including holistic assessment, comprehensive wound evaluations according to protocols, and preparation of patient for medical appropriately.
Integrates diagnostic data into health assessment notifying physicians of results in a timely fashion and documenting appropriately.
Uses knowledge and understanding of algorithms for wound care.
Exercises clinical competence in nursing skills and follows procedures based on wound care clinic and hospital based policies and procedures.
Administers pharmaceutical and wound care products as ordered.
Demonstrates competence in ordered treatments including but not limited to vital signs, capillary blood sugars, vascular assessments, wound assessments, sterile technique, dressings, phlebotomy, handling of autologous blood products, and sterile syringe fill techniques.
Demonstrates competence in-patient and family education on common topics including but not limited to wound care, dressing applications, compression therapy, diabetic foot care, and venous lifestyle changes and wound off-loading.
Adheres to guidelines or standards of practice (i.e. ANA), community, associate hospital, and all current Wound Care Center (WCC) policies and procedures.
Safety precautions are implemented as needed by professional judgment/policy and procedures.
Demonstrates consistent use of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and Universal Precautions.
Communicable diseases are reported per policy.
Utilizes proper body mechanics.
Reviews and completes patient history, holistic nursing assessment and evaluation on all new patients.
Demonstrates competent utilization of interview, examination and observation techniques with patients and significant others.
Prepares and implements a plan for care of wound patient by second outpatient encounter using established algorithms, policies and procedures in collaboration with the physician, the patient and significant others.
Keeps patient plans for care updated to reflect changes in conditions and response to therapies or education.
Implements and evaluates plans for care reflecting appropriate nursing and medical diagnoses, goal development, outcome criteria and target dates.
Assumes patient advocate role protecting all patient rights.
Provides continuity of care for patients as plan of care may involve multiple disciplines, products, and sites for care including inpatient care, outpatient procedures and clinic care.
Utilizes available resources effectively by appropriate consultations and collaboration to maximize effectiveness of care.
Consistently responds to internal and external customers in a professional manner.
Supports and encourages a harmonious work relationship assuming additional responsibility and assisting others without being asked.
Demonstrate flexibility with staffing needs coordinating with physicians, patients and co-workers.
Delegates tasks to appropriate skill level providing needed supervision for quality follow through.
Prioritizes to consistently meet deadlines and keep documentation current.
Participates in the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process, review and revision of policies and procedures.
Handles daily and routine problems following proper channels of communication and recognizes complex issues that need referral with recommendations to management.
Assumes active role in WCC by participating at staff meetings and other center related activities.
Reviews minutes when unable to attend.
Attends all mandatory education programs and some additional continuing professional education functions to enhance skills and judgment.
Communicates to Program Director, Nurse Manager, or Clinical Coordinator areas of educational or procedural deficiency.
Reviews current literature sharing ideas for care of patients and revision of policies and procedures.
Consistently initiates and actively participates in implementing change to improve work environment, work processes or patient care.
Documents accurately and promptly patient assessment, care and response to treatment and education on approved forms.
Documents accurately reflect changes in patient status and appropriate actions.
Documents clearly and legibly using only approved abbreviations.
Actively keeps patient informed of anticipated responses to treatment.
Facilitates discussion between patient and physician.
Seeks financial counseling regarding reimbursement or other medical financial concerns of patient or significant other.
Ensures all necessary informed consents are signed prior to providing non-emergency care.
Responds accurately and timely to patient financial questions either by knowledge of answer or with referral source and follow-through.
Documents consumption of products and charges appropriately.
Conducts daily inpatient audits of all previous day consults to ensure documentation is consistent across all systems and completed thoroughly, as needed.
Assists RN with daily preparation of inpatient schedule, reviewing notification forms, consults, and following up on previous day recommendations being turned into orders, as needed.
Participates in monthly inpatient meetings.
Participates in quarterly prevalence studies.
Performs other inpatient duties as assigned.