PMOA Licensed Practical Nurse - PRN

Job Description Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for providing direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse, in a manner consistent with standards of practice. Responsibilities include following the plan of care, providing treatments, and working collaboratively with the members of the team to help meet positive patient care outcomes.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

1. 1. 1. Telephonic care coordination with Patient Care Team for Palliative Care patients and their families, including triaging incoming calls as well as making proactive calls as requested by Nurse Practitioners
      2. Appropriate triage and escalation of routine, urgent and emergent patient calls
      3. Clinical care coordination with PCT and other providers and specialists including:  NP home visit, PCP or specialist office visit appointment coordination, initiating clinical service orders on behalf of the patient and family.
      4. Receive orders from the physician and follow those that are within the realm of practice for an LPN and within the standards of palliative practice.
      5. Ensure quality and safe delivery of palliative services to patients/families/caregivers.
      6. Provide accurate and timely documentation of patient services to reflect the plan of care and palliative policies and procedures.
      7. Assess and provide patient and family/caregiver education and information pertinent to diagnosis and self-plan of care.
      8. Participates in coordination of palliative services, appropriately reporting the identified needs to the interdisciplinary team.
      9. Receives referral information and documents in EMR information received and collaborates with other providers to obtain necessary health history information for patient acceptance to PMOA services
      10. Provides appropriate pain/symptom management. Evaluates patient’s response to treatments/medications.
      11. Participates in personal, professional growth and development. Also participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
      12. Identifying community resources and assisting Palliative patients and families in accessing those resources
      13. Participation in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings as needed
      14. Implements current nursing practice following a comprehensive assessment and the plan of care.
      15. Provide accurate and timely documentation of patient services to reflect the plan of care.
      16. Assess and provide patient and family/caregiver education and information pertinent to diagnosis and self-plan of care.
      17. Participates in coordination of palliative care services, appropriately reporting the identified needs to the interdisciplinary team.
      18. Uses equipment and supplies effectively and efficiently.
      19. Participates in personal, professional growth and development.  Also participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
      20. Performs other duties as assigned by the palliative care registered nurse.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

1. Graduate of an accredited practical nurse or vocational nursing program.
2. Three years nursing experience.  Community health/hospice or medical/surgical and palliative care experience is preferred.  Pediatrics: Must have experience and/or training in the developmental stages and needs of infants, children and adolescents.
3. Currently licensed as an LPN in the State of Louisiana.
4. Complies with accepted professional standards and practice.
5. Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
6. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.
7. Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skill, problem solving skills, mathematical skills; nursing skills per competency checklist.
8. Prolonged or considerable walking or standing.  Able to lift, position and/or transfer patients.  Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.
9. Possesses and maintains current CPR certification as required by organizational policy.
10. Understands philosophy of palliative.  Also understands needs of the terminally ill.