LPN - Acute Care

Required Skills

• Provides direct care to patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Physician.
• Assists in executing physician orders as directed.
• Documents care given in computerized medical record according to policies and procedures.
• Evaluates patient progress toward attainment of goals, revising plan of care when indicated.
• Builds teamwork while delivering care to patients.
• Maintains open, effective communication with other members of the patient care team re: patient status and all aspects of care.
• Documents patient care according to policies and procedures.
• Assists in assuring all equipment and supplies are present in adequate volumes and working order.
• Precepts new nursing employees and/or nursing students.
• Identifies & resolves safety risks.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement, periodic review of policies, procedures and pre-printed physicians orders.
• Assists in identifying and resolving patient care problems or process related issues on the unit and between departments.
• Assists with educational activities for other staff on the nursing unit.
• Performs other related work as required or requested.

Tasks which may be delegated to LPNs:

• Peripheral IV start, dressing change, normal saline flush & D/C.
• IV pump set up.
• Hanging IV fluids without medications or additives.
• Administration of PO, IM, SubQ, Intradermal, Rectal, Sublingual medications according to policies & procedures.
• Administration of IV piggyback antibiotics via peripheral IV sites according to policies & procedures.

Tasks which may not be delegated to LPNs:

• Dictated physician orders.
• Blood administration.
• Central line flush, med administration or removal.
• Administration of drugs during a code situation.
• Administration of IV medications other than piggyback antibiotics (push medications, chemotherapy, titrated drips).
• Blood draws from arterial or central lines.