Job Description

Archer Adult Unit Licensed Practical Nurse DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

• The LPN is responsible for providing physician support as applicable and comprehensive nursing care to patients and their families under the direction of the physician. This position supports the Practice Director and Practice Manager in coordinating and leading practice personnel to ensure consistent standards of practice and competencies in the delivery of patient care services. The position will perform duties within the scope of practice, ensuring consistency with Memorial Medical Group policies and procedures, standards of care, approved protocols, standing orders and guidelines. The position will also adhere to practice standards governed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Collaborates with the Practice Director/Manager to identify, implement and evaluate opportunities to reduce costs without negatively impacting quality.
• Proactive in assessing schedules and soliciting feedback from staff or other disciplines involved in the practice.
• Assists the Practice Director/Manager with HR functions such as staff selection, discipline and evaluation.
• Assists the Practice Director/Manager to assure effective and timely communications to all staff.
• Assists in daily cleaning of exam rooms and clinic station area. Assess maintenance needs
• Inventories unit and determines supply needs. Conveys needs to appropriate personnel
• Assists with patient education and discharge instruction with provider
• Acts as liaison/support person for patient and family members
• Prepares schedules and coordinates the assignment of breaks, meals and in-services to maintain adequate coverage. Ensures patient care is not affected by staff coverage.
• Monitors patient flow and takes appropriate action to optimize practice visit times; communicates delays to patients.
• Coordinates the daily preparation of staff and materials to facilitate next day practice operations.
• Addresses patient, family concerns to resolution. Communicates incidences and outcomes to the Practice Director/Manager/Provider.
• Delegates and oversees the maintenance of clinical equipment. Provides research and coordination with the physicians and manager during the purchase of new equipment.
• Identifies situations that can negatively impact operations/patient satisfaction and takes appropriate actions. Communicates situations and outcomes in a timely manner to Provider and Practice Director/Manager.
• Knowledgeable of policies and procedures, and encourages practice staff to comply.
• Demonstrates clinical expertise in the care of the assigned patient specialty and is recognized as a resource in practice specialty by physicians and staff.
• Provides orientation for new staff that is planned and consistent.
• Maintains and develops clinical knowledge through participation in continuing education programs.
• Consistently follows through and implements actions.
• Provides continued patient care practices.
• Maintains awareness of the patient needs and the staff availability.
• Performs computer order entry in the Clinic Information System and documents in EMR.
• Reports and records patient critical lab values, adverse reactions and pertinent information promptly to physician.
• Observes universal precautions and aseptic techniques with patient and the use of medical Instruments and equipment.
• Performs and records quality assurance data on equipment according to protocols (i.e. pulse oximeter, refrigerator, emergency cart, etc.)
• As per protocol may perform tests and as ordered to include but not limited to: a. EKG
• Anticipates patients and other caregivers requests/needs and responds in a timely manner.
• Administers medications as governed by licensure, training and demonstrate competency.
• Obtains and records vital signs, height and weight, major complaint, medication and allergies in patient chart.
• Provides friendly assistance to patient\xe2\x80\x99s family members and visitors
• Able to perform administrative duties (i.e. scheduling appointments, answering phones, filing, assembling and filing medical records, etc.)
• Receives patients from the waiting room, escorts to the exam room, prepares patient for exam.
• Leads the practice staff in supporting the mission, values and management of the organization.
• Utilizes the chain of command and effective communication skills.
• Supports change and is a positive influence in promoting staff cooperation.
• Strives to develop working relationships among team members, physicians and administrative staff that are characterized by mutual support, open communication, trust and respect.
• Identifies performance indicators for area of expertise and provides staff education to improve clinical outcomes.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. LPN
• Licensed in State of Louisiana as LPN or multistate compact license as LPN.
• Certified CPR, Basic or specialty specific such as PALS preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in clinical nursing, including clinical experience directly related to that of assigned practice.
• Understands several defined work routines.
• Reads various references, extracts information, and applies basic arithmetic functions
• May operate complicated equipment/machinery.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Work requires a variety of physical activities including standing and walking for long periods of time, bending, stooping, and lifting.
• The work environment may be physically confining.
• Visual acuity is required for a variety of specific activities.
• Must have normal hearing or utilize adaptive hearing devices if duties require listening with a stethoscope to discern breath sounds, heart sounds, and bowel sounds.
• Ability to do shift work as required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COVID-19 Lake Charles Memorial Health System must ensure compliance of various Federal and State Regulatory Agencies, including CMS (Centers for Medicaid & Medicare). Candidates for this position must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with the Lake Charles Memorial Health System Human Resources Department. Proof of vaccination prior to employment is required to ensure compliance.