Sr. Licensed Practical Nurse - 6E Brain Injury Rehab

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

UPMC Mercy is hiring a full-time Senior Licensed Practical Nurse for its 6E Brain Injury Rehab department. The title and salary depend on experience; the listed Senior LPN level requires two years of LPN work experience. The role is eligible for a sign-on bonus of $7,500 for new graduates with less than one year of experience or $12,500 for experienced LPNs with at least one year of experience. Candidates hired into a sign-on bonus-eligible role will be asked to make a work commitment. UPMC Mercy Rehabilitation Institute provides rehabilitation services and is a Comprehensive Stroke Center accredited by the Joint Commission. The 6E unit is an 18-bed traumatic brain injury unit serving patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and other neurological disorders. Its multidisciplinary team focuses on helping patients achieve their highest level of function, with an emphasis on discharge to home. The unit also operates a disorders of consciousness rehabilitation program and offers educational opportunities in areas such as endotracheal tube management, feeding tube management, and behavior management. The LPN functions as a member of the health-care team, using sound nursing judgment and focused assessment to participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. The LPN communicates with a licensed professional nurse and other care-team members when patient needs exceed the LPN's scope, knowledge, or abilities, or when a patient's condition changes or requires immediate assistance. The LPN obtains instruction and supervision for new or unfamiliar procedures and follows UPMC policies, LPN Practice Guidelines, and the State Practice Act. The position also includes providing patient- and family-centered care, communicating and documenting patient information, contributing to quality improvement, and supporting the development of colleagues.

Requirements

Successful completion and graduation from a Licensed Practical Nursing Program approved by the State Board of Nursing.
Two years of LPN work experience for the Senior LPN level.
Successful completion of an IV therapy curriculum within four months of hire or transfer; the posting also states a commitment to obtain it within four months of hire or transfer and within 30 days of start.
LPNs who graduated before 2012 must provide official proof of completion of an approved IV therapy program.
Must take a nurse assignment at the top of the LPN license in a medical/surgical/telemetry or Emergency Department setting.
To maintain Senior LPN level, complete two annual contributions that assist in improving patient care, or maintain a UPMC-approved certification and complete one annual contribution.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the ages served by the assigned unit, including knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan and the ability to assess and interpret patient information relevant to age-specific needs.
Ability to identify patient-care process improvement opportunities and collaborate with the health-care team, patients, and families to achieve desired outcomes.
Ability to collaborate in developing, revising, and implementing policies and procedures that ensure patient comfort and safety.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients and families.
Ability to work productively and effectively in a complex environment, handle multiple or changing priorities, and use specialized equipment.
Mobility and visual manual dexterity.
Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning of patients.
Computer skills to use the electronic health record.
Maintain LPN licensure in the state of practice or a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the facility's state.
Maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
Meet Act 34 clearance requirements.
For employees practicing under an out-of-state NLC license who change residency to the facility's state, apply for licensure in that state within 60 days of the residency change.

Responsibilities

Use sound nursing judgment and focused assessment while participating in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care.
Communicate with a licensed professional nurse and other care-team members when patient needs exceed the LPN's scope, knowledge, skill, or ability, or when a patient's condition deteriorates, changes significantly, becomes unstable, or requires immediate assistance.
Obtain instruction and supervision when implementing new or unfamiliar nursing practices or procedures.
Follow UPMC policies and procedures, UPMC LPN Practice Guidelines, and the State Practice Act.
Act within LPN Practice Guidelines, including IV practice, and use Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment.
Formulate daily patient goals and plans of care that involve patients as partners and consider their individual needs holistically.
Communicate patients' conditions to other care providers and maintain comprehensive documentation that promotes communication among caregivers.
Incorporate professional organization, business unit, and health-system goals into daily work to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction.
Build caring, compassionate, healing relationships with patients, families, and colleagues.
Participate actively in unit activities and assist other members of the care team.
Teach patients and families to guide them through their care episode and transition to another level of care or home.
Support orientation and development of new LPNs and patient-care support staff.
Seek feedback and apply continuous professional improvement; participate in organizational and system learning programs.
Identify and participate in clinical quality, workplace, and patient-care process improvement opportunities.
Collaborate in developing, revising, and implementing policies and procedures designed to ensure patient comfort and safety.
Develop and maintain productive working relationships, demonstrating accountability, enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Demonstrate understanding of cultural differences and hold peers accountable for healthy relationships.
Maintain balance between work and personal life, and model safe work hours, time management, and a healthy lifestyle.
Communicate workplace safety hazards to peers and management.
Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies and behaviors, and perform other duties as assigned.