LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
Definition
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides the medical needs and care of individuals with developmental disabilities in the residential program.Â
An employee in this class provides training and supports to assigned persons served in dressing, bathing, personal hygiene, house cleaning, laundry, and other activities of daily living and all medical issue. Additional responsibilities include assisting with the purchasing of groceries, training in food preparation, administering medications, and assist in the management of personal funds. This employee assists in the implementation of personal plans; contributes to the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment; and establishes effective interpersonal relationships with each person served, their parents and/or guardians, and other members of the support team.
Work involves responsibility for observing and reporting information concerning the physical, mental, and behavioral condition of the persons served and for assisting in the maintenance of necessary records and reports to document these observations. Close supervision and direction is received from the LPN Program Supervisor, Team Manager, and RN Program Supervisor, and/or other staff members who review work through reports and direct observations.
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Essential Job Functions
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Mission and Core Values
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Serves as an ambassador of the mission and purpose of The Arc of the Ozarks
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Conducts nursing duties with respect and dignity towards all persons served.
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Supports staff in the education of assisting with medically fragile services
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Nursing Documentation, Education and Quality Control
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Implements outcomes and strategies of individual personal plans under the supervision of the LPN Program Supervisor, Team Manager, the Program Supervisor, or other staff members; provides supports as identified in the personal plans; attends review meetings when assigned.
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Monitors the application of all physicians’ orders including but not limited to treatments, procedures, labs, appointments, specialized diets, and adaptive equipment for each person served.
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Takes appropriate action in case of fire and/or disaster. Encourages the development and maintenance of a safe environment for individuals served in a home setting including developing plans for evacuation assistance in case of emergency, using proper on-call notification.
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Assists persons served in securing and effectively managing funds; ensuring the
individuals’ choices of how these funds are spent, budgeting, etc.
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Assists in the orientation of new employees.
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Client Care and Support of Individuals
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Provides support to persons served in dressing, bathing, personal hygiene, house cleaning, laundry, transfers, lifts, positioning/repositioning, other activities of daily living, and community outings.
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Assists with the purchasing of groceries, medical, and cleaning supplies; supports persons served in preparing their own meals.
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Provides support to persons served in maintaining a safe and clean environment in their home and encourages persons served to become active participants in their community.
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Supports persons served in participating in varied meaningful vocational, domestic, and leisure activities in the community of their choosing.
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Observes, reports, and assists in recording changes in the physical, emotional, behavioral status of persons served and documents progress on the outcomes listed in personal plans
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Administers oral, rectal, vaginal, optic, ophthalmic, nasal, and topical medications, after   certification by The Arc of the Ozarks and Missouri State officials.
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Assists in providing basic health care for persons served; takes temperature, pulse, blood  pressure, respiration, and applies simple dressings when necessary. Provide more advanced medical care as medically necessary, or as instructed by Physician and/or RN Program Supervisor/ LPN Program Supervisor
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Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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- Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion.
- Ability to work varied and flexible hours, accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.
- Ability to work with and respect persons with disabilities and advocate for their rights.
- Ability to learn and apply crisis intervention and behavior support techniques.
- Ability to administer oral, rectal, vaginal, optic, ophthalmic, nasal, topical medications and insulin injections
- Ability to teach basic skills and model adaptive behaviors at home and in the community.
- Ability to maintain a safe, clean and agreeable environment for the persons served.
- Ability to accurately report and record observations.
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
- Ability to stand, stoop, lift up to 50 lbs, and pull and push items.
- Ability to pass with satisfactory performance CPR, First Aid, and Behavior Intervention training.
- Ability to maintain a record of punctuality and attendance.
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Minimum Experience and Training Qualifications
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Possession of a current license and registration as a Licensed Practical Nurse issued by the State of Missouri.Â
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Previous experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.Â
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Traits and Characteristics Desired
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The Nurse will be a person who is passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and increasing their independence as a valued member of the community. A sincere dedication to the mission and the people served by The Arc of the Ozarks is crucial.
The Nurse must demonstrate the ability to establish rapport, effectively communicate, and cultivates a positive work culture with not only those individuals’ receiving services but also Direct Support Professionals.
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The Nurse should be open to feedback, possess a growth mindset, and a willingness for networking and community partnerships to better the services offered to clients.
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