LPN PRN Med Surg

Community Health Systems•Gadsden, AL

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides essential nursing care to patients under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and in collaboration with the healthcare team. The LPN supports patient care through assessments, medication administration, and implementation of care plans, delivering safe, high-quality care in compliance with the Nurse Practice Act, professional standards, and state regulations. The role includes general patient-care responsibilities and may involve specialized duties in areas such as emergency services, operating rooms, cardiac surgery, endoscopy, obstetrics and postpartum care, oncology, orthopedics, telemetry, dialysis, or the cath lab. Duties vary by clinical area and are performed within the LPN’s scope of practice, training, and RN supervision. The LPN maintains regular and reliable attendance, complies with policies and standards, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

0–1 years of experience as an LPN in a healthcare setting required.
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) state licensure or LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) licensure required.
Basic Life Support (BCLS) certification required.
Strong knowledge of nursing principles, medication administration, and patient-care practices.
Proficiency in patient assessment, monitoring, and documentation.
Excellent communication skills for interactions with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
Organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple priorities.
Knowledge of safety protocols, infection-control measures, and regulatory requirements.
Adaptability to changing patient-care needs and healthcare practices.
State-specific certifications may apply: Alabama requires ACLS, PALS, and CPI; Florida requires ACLS, PALS, and NRP; Georgia requires ACLS, PALS, and NRP within 90 days of employment; Indiana requires CPR within 90 days of employment; Mississippi requires ACLS, PALS, NRP, and STABLE within 6 months of employment; New Mexico requires ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, NIH Stroke Scale certification, and STABLE within 6 months of employment; North Carolina and Oklahoma require ACLS, PALS, and NRP; Pennsylvania requires ACLS.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification preferred, except where required by state-specific requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care under RN supervision, including monitoring vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, and responding to patient needs.
Conduct focused patient assessments and report changes in patient condition to appropriate team members.
Administer prescribed medications, treatments, and injections in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act and safety protocols.
Assist with developing, implementing, and evaluating patient care plans.
Document patient care, interventions, and observations accurately and promptly in the medical record.
Educate patients and families on health maintenance, medication management, and post-discharge care.
Follow infection-control protocols, safety standards, and healthcare regulations.
Assist with basic procedures, including wound care, catheterization, and specimen collection, within scope of practice.
Participate in orientation and training of new staff or nursing students as assigned.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to coordinate care.
Prepare and maintain equipment and supplies needed for patient care.
Respond to medical emergencies and support code-team interventions within competency.
In emergency services, support triage, collect patient history and vital signs, prepare patients for procedures, assist RNs and providers, provide basic wound care, and help stabilize patients under supervision.
In OR services, prepare patients for surgery, assist with surgical preparation and checklists, monitor patients pre- and post-operatively under RN supervision, and provide post-operative care and discharge teaching under RN guidance.
In cardiac surgery, monitor vital signs, perform ECGs, report abnormal findings, assist with post-operative care, administer permitted medications, document patient status, and support recovery milestones.
In endoscopy, prepare patients, obtain vital signs, assist with positioning and emotional support, monitor recovery, provide post-procedure education under RN guidance, and clean and restock procedure rooms and equipment.
In obstetrics, labor and delivery, postpartum, or nursery care, assist with maternal monitoring and postpartum care, provide routine newborn care, administer permitted medications, support breastfeeding education and screenings under RN direction, and assist with documentation and family education.
In oncology, provide supportive care and comfort, administer medications, monitor for and report side effects, reinforce RN-provided education, and assist with central-line dressing changes if trained.
In orthopedics, assist with mobility and transfers, apply braces, splints, or slings as directed, provide prescribed pain medication, monitor neurovascular status, and support patient education and discharge instructions under RN guidance.
In telemetry, record and report cardiac telemetry readings without interpreting them, monitor vital signs, provide basic care, administer medications, and report rhythm or condition changes to an RN or provider.
In dialysis, take vital signs, prepare patients for treatment, monitor them during dialysis, report concerns, provide comfort, reinforce post-treatment instructions, and support mobility and hygiene.
In the cath lab, prepare patients for procedures, verify consent forms, start IVs if trained and permitted, administer oral pre-medications, monitor patients after procedures, check dressing sites, assist with discharge, and provide education under RN guidance.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance, comply with policies and standards, and perform other duties as assigned.