LPN - Med/Surg

SCHOOLCRAFT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL•Manistique, MI

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The LPN provides direct patient care in accordance with Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital policies and patient safety standards. Working with the care team under the direction of the RN and Charge RN, the LPN practices at the highest level of their licensed scope to preserve, support, and restore patient health and wellness. The position provides physiological and psychological support to patients, supports their families and friends, promotes best practices, and maintains a professional disposition. The role includes documenting care in the electronic medical record (EMR), administering medications within the LPN’s scope and certifications, supporting admissions, discharges, transfers, rehabilitation, examinations, and procedures, and contributing to patient care planning and shift handoffs. The LPN also helps maintain safe, clean, and comfortable patient and utility areas; supports the nursing team; and participates in required training, meetings, and hospital-wide requirements.

Requirements

Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing.
Current license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Michigan.
BLS certification.
Experience working in Medical-Surgical and ER nursing areas.
Knowledge and experience using an EMR system.
Complete understanding of and compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Satisfactory health as evidenced by a physical exam.

Responsibilities

Follow nursing care standards and hospital and nursing department policies and procedures.
Record observed symptoms, treatments, patient responses, and changes in condition in the EMR, and report them to the Charge RN/RN or physician as indicated.
Prioritize patient care to support optimal patient outcomes.
Assist physicians with examinations, treatments, special tests, and procedures as directed by the Charge RN/RN.
Assist with patient rehabilitation as directed by the Charge RN/RN.
Establish and maintain interpersonal relationships with patients, families, visitors, and hospital personnel.
Answer call lights and assist patients with personal hygiene, toileting, and other activities of daily living.
Act as a patient advocate.
Assist with admitting, discharging, and transferring patients.
Use the EMR to guide nursing care and follow physician orders; keep the EMR current throughout the shift.
Maintain an attractive, comfortable, and safe patient environment, including attention to room cleanliness, ventilation, lighting, and valuables.
Participate in developing nursing care plans and problem lists and in shift reporting.
Identify each patient population group by age and specific nursing needs.
Provide updated reports to the Charge RN/RN during the shift and concise one-to-one handoff reports to the oncoming nurse.
Perform bedside shift reports according to current policy.
Safely administer medications to assigned patients, including oral medications; do not administer IV push medication except under physician direction during an emergency.
Add medications to IV solutions or hang IV piggybacks only after successfully completing the medication test administered by the Nurse Manager or designee.
Start IVs only when certified, and take initiative to obtain and maintain certification according to policy.
Review documentation, medication sheets/EMAR, and charges at the end of the shift; ensure documentation is complete and charges are accurate.
Bring concerns and questions to the Charge RN, and follow up with the Supervisor and/or Chief Nursing Officer as needed.
Know and follow the role-specific procedures for fire, disaster, code, drills, and calling or paging on-call personnel and physicians.
Assist with orientation of new personnel as directed and provide evaluations of new employees to the nursing services coordinator or Supervisor as needed.
Cover clerical duties when assigned, as described for the Ward Clerk role.
Clean, restock, and organize patient and utility rooms; stock and organize the storage room; and requisition supplies as needed.
Recommend and attend assigned in-service programs, attend mandatory meetings or read meeting minutes when unable to attend, and participate in mandatory hospital-wide requirements such as competencies, Care Learning, and Infection Control requirements.
Recognize and follow the Chain of Command.
Contribute to a positive work environment and the nursing department’s overall team efforts.
Follow the Behavioral Standards Policy and review the Pillar Board for current departmental and organizational performance information.
Assist other staff with patient care as needed and meet age-specific objectives appropriately.
Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of practice.