Home Health PRN LPN

JOB TITLE:

Licensed Practical Nurse

REPORTS TO:

Registered Nurse

* BASIC PURPOSE

A clinically competent, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) delivers care to patients in their place of residence through the nursing process of data collection, planning, implementation and evaluation. The nurse follows through with the plan of care established by the registered professional nurse and effectively interacts with the patients, caregivers, and other members of the health care team while maintaining established standards of nursing.

Must be knowledgeable regarding the nursing process and its application, including the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care.

* PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Data Collection/Follows Plan of Care

* In collaboration with patient, caregivers, and other members of the health care team:

* Performs ongoing patient visits.

* Demonstrates proficiency in the data collection of the patients physical, psychosocial, emotional, family and support system and environmental status for appropriateness for home care.

* Follows the written plan of care that was developed by the registered, professional nurse in conjunction with other members of the health care team (physician, therapists, nurses, medical social worker, and home health aide) based on medical and nursing diagnoses, identified patient care needs and standards of care.

* Identifies patient care needs based on ongoing home visits and reports these to the registered nurse.

* In conjunction with the registered nurse, identifies expected outcomes and establishes realistic goals for patient and caregivers based on data collection during home visits.

* In conjunction with the registered nurse, determines nursing interventions and teaching required to achieve each expected outcome and goal.

* Assists in coordinating care and service provided to patient by other members of the health care team including agency employees, other agencies, and vendors.

* Complies with Home Health documentation/communication expectations.

* Complies with Home Health policies and procedures related to Infection Control, including, but not limited to:

* Handwashing

* Body Substance Precautions

* Disposal of Medically Related Material

* Post-Exposure Testing and Prophylaxis

* Cleaning, Disinfecting and Redistributing of Medical Equipment and Supplies

Intervention

* Performs skilled nursing procedures as ordered by patients physician in accordance with Home Health policies and procedures and LPN Practice Act.

* Provides education to patient and caregivers regarding medical condition, medications, and nutritional requirements.

* Demonstrates proficiency in performance of nursing skills necessary to care for patients.

* Documents relevant and accurate patient information in the clinical record according to Home Care policies and procedures.

* Clinical notes are documented the day of the visit along with related documentation (verbal orders, etc.) and submitted within 48 hours of the visit.

* Vital signs are required on every billable visit or documentation why they were not taken; weights and pain are documented on every visit or as ordered.

* ALL wounds must be measured on each visit.

* Verbal orders are written the date the order is received and mailed to physician.

* Treatments and care procedures and medication profiles are documented and updated as change in physician orders are obtained.

* Updates patient plan of care.

* Voicemail must be listened to prior to and after shift.

* Communicates all pertinent patient care and scheduling information needed by supervisor on a daily basis.

* Effectively orders and uses supplies in accordance with payer requirements.

* Uses appropriate lab slip and/or specimen container and completes labels appropriately according to pay source requirements.

* Demonstrates skills related to safe use of equipment.

* Demonstrates skills to prevent personal injury; uses good body mechanics and safe driving practices.

* Demonstrates ability to organize and prioritize assignments.

Evaluation of Outcomes of Care

* Documents patient and/or caregiver response to care, interventions and/or teaching.

* Documents patient progress toward outcomes of care.

* In conjunction with the registered nurse, modifies plan of care based on ongoing provision of care and data collection.

* Patient plan of care is reviewed and revised as patients condition warrants, no less than every 60 days, when there is a significant change in condition and on discharge.

* Phones patients physician immediately with significant changes in the patients condition.

* Reports significant findings during visits to Supervisor, Registered Nurse and other agency employees visiting patient.

* Attends appropriate meetings as scheduled and required to participate in coordination of patient care, receive agency updates, educational material, etc.

* Presents accurate, concise reports with relevant patient information at team meetings or when providing patient updates.

* Makes referrals to other members of the health care team as…