Licensed Practical Nurse

• Set up medications for each resident as prescribed for the time ordered by a physician; dispense over-the-counter medications as indicated and prescribed or provided for by standing orders; prepare and dispense medications for residents going out on pass; administer parental, subcutaneous and intramuscular medications as prescribed by doctor's orders; prepare insulin injections, administer and record on MAR; initial each medication given to resident on their individual MAR; order medications when needed from local pharmacy and record; sign medication in as received on individual resident's medication order form; count narcotics at beginning of shift with oncoming nurse; medications are placed in resident's storage bins; self medication sheets are prepared and sent to physician for doctor's approval; information sheet is then reviewed with resident, signed and placed in their chart; resident is monitored for compliance; medication administration records are checked at the beginning of each month for accuracy and noted; expiration dates are monitored frequently for medications; set up and/or monitor residents that have nebulizer treatments for respiratory disorders.
• Direct subordinates in providing resident care or other duties.
• Contact physicians regarding any problems that are observed by staff that the residents may be having or send written correspondence; doctor's orders are transcribed from progress notes, telephone orders and recorded in resident's charts and any medication changes on MAR as indicated; resident's next of kin is notified when they are admitted to hospital either by phone or letter as soon as possible.
• Routine vital signs and quarterly vital signs as needed or ordered by doctor; provide emergency care on scene and if warranted, arrange for transportation to medical center; routine treatments (foot care, nail trim); perform non-complicated wound dressings; glucoscans for diabetic residents and maintain record in resident chart; notify physicians of physically ill residents and chart/note any new orders or pertinent changes; assist with baths or showers as needed; change O2 tanks and measure O2 saturation levels and record; order diet and or special trays for ill residents who must remain in their room; observe residents for possible escalating psychiatric problems and take appropriate measures if signs/symptoms increase; admit and orient new residents to facility routine; assist RN with resident's plan of care; call residents to meals and check their rooms if they do not appear in a timely manner.
• Provides for input in developing policies and procedures involving resident care and safety; also for continuity and proper functioning of the entire nursing department; part of charting committee, Resident's Quality of Life subcommittee; attend monthly nurses' staff meetings; participate on QA committees as assigned.
• Participate in yearly inservices, do fire drills and evacuation practice on a regular basis; be familiar with procedures for other possible disaster scenarios and the appropriate response for each; responsible for building security after 5:00 p.m., weekends and holidays by locking and alarming the doors; hall checks are done between11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.; contact law enforcement officers if necessary for potential dangerous situation related to residents/staff or outside forces; be aware of hazards that might affect staff/residents' safety and report to appropriate department. Write incident reports for injuries/wounds and document action taken; develop procedures to eliminate future risks for residents and staff; report quarterly to Risk Management ongoing incident reports, keep track and report. Provide TB testing, hepatitis or tetanus vaccine to residents/staff as needed; colo-rectal screening as ordered by physician for residents. Provide training for new staff members in nursing department; make out maintenance slips and place in proper area for Maintenance Department to act upon.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING

• LPN license
• CPR BLS Certification