Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Infectious Disease

Overview

***Sign-On Bonus Offered***

Performs nursing care procedures involving initial patient assessment, evaluation, and preliminary testing to meet patient needs; assists Physician with the care of patient.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Current CPR card.
• Strong computer skills for documentation purposes in the electronic medical record.
• Must possess good nursing assessment and judgment skills.
• Must have good communication skills and documentation skills.
• Must have the ability and desire to function well with providers, nursing staff, and outside health care agencies and providers.
• Must readily understand verbal and written instructions; must be able to explain them clearly to patients.
• Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Ability to adjust actions in relation to others' actions.
• Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Ability to watch gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

General Skill Requirements

In addition to the Essential Functions and Qualifications listed above, to perform the job successfully an individual must also possess the following General Skill Requirements.

• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Accepts criticism and feedback; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; ability to work with frustrating situations; work under pressure and on an irregular schedule such as unscheduled overtime, unanticipated changes in work pace; Works with numerous distractions.
• Attendance and Punctuality – Schedules time off in advance; Begins working on time; Keeps absences within guidelines; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Communications – Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; Expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; Exhibits good listening and comprehension; Keeps others adequately informed; Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Cooperation – Establishes and maintains effective relations; Exhibits tact and consideration; Displays positive outlook and pleasant manner; Offers assistance and support to co-workers; Works cooperatively in group situations; Works actively to resolve conflicts.
• Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; Keeps abreast of current developments; Requires minimal supervision; Displays understanding of how job relates to others; Uses resources effectively.
• Judgment – displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions; ability to work with and maintain confidential information.
• Problem solving – Identifies problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Resolves problems in early stages; Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Displays commitment to excellence; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity – Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly; Achieves established goals.
• Concentration – Maintains attention to detail over extended period of time; continually aware of variations in changing situations.
• Supervision – ability to perform work independently or with minimal supervision; ability to assign and/or review work; train and/or evaluate other employees.

Education and/or Other Requirements

Must possess a current Illinois Licensed Practical Nurse certification.  Must be a graduate of an approved school of practical nursing.  Previous experience in an ambulatory care setting is preferred.

Environmental Factors

This position is performed within an environment of potential for exposure to blood and body fluids. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of the job the employee is required to stand, bend and reach.
• The employee will occasionally be required to lift, push and pull weight of at least one to 5 pounds.
• While performing the duties of the job the employee is required to perform repetitive hand motion and good body posture due to extended use of computer systems for patient documentation and other purposes.

Mental Demands

• Ability to work under stress and adapt to variable and unpredictable conditions.

Note

Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist an otherwise qualified individual in the performance of the job.  In order to meet the needs of the Company employees may be assigned other duties, in addition to or in lieu of those described above.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions and Job Duties

• Collects and documents data regarding physical, psychological, and educational needs of patients of all ages.

• Differentiates among emergent, urgent, and non-urgent patients.

• Identifies signs or symptoms, which indicate a significant variance.
• Reports variances to Provider.
• Establishes priorities in clinic setting and collaborates with Provider regarding plan of care.
• Offers input to plan of care.
• Educates patient in plan of care; coordinates and communicates plan of care with the patient and/or patient’s family.

• Screens telephone calls from patients and evaluates for referral.
• Conducts pre-authorization for medication and ordered tests; completes appropriate forms. Schedules specialized procedures at the hospital; monitors need for follow-up.
• Arranges outside laboratory tests.
• Assists physicians by preparing patients and setting up equipment.

• Shares with nursing staff daily scheduling of patients with acute and/or urgent problems.
• Performs as a team nurse with Providers.
• Reports ideas, concerns, and problems to Manager/Coordinator.
• Scans and accurately indexes patient records from outside sources in the electronic health record for Provider signature.
• Reviews patient medical records from previous physician to incorporate pertinent information into patient’s completed chart.
• Under the supervision of a Physician, provides and documents care according to established standards of practice, policies, and procedures, and follows Physician orders.
• Prepares equipment for diagnosis and treatment; prepares patients.
• Performs blood draws test (where applicable), treatments, and screenings, and assists with examinations and minor surgery; sets up and assists with procedures; cleans and sterilizes instruments and equipment as needed.
• Administers medications and immunizations according to established guidelines.
• Runs laboratory controls, keeps lab logs and maintains OSHA log book.
• Assists in inventory of clinical supplies; checks expiration dates; maintains clean, well-equipped exam rooms, laboratory and procedure room.
• Assumes personal responsibility for quality patient care, environment of care, and professional development.

• Assists in coordinating and implementing policies in compliance with all regulatory standards.
• Reports ideas and concerns to supervisor concerning improved patient care, customer service, and efficient clinical operations.
• Maintains clean, well-equipped exam room and assists in inventory control.
• Attends meetings, in-services, and continuing education classes; suggests topics and/or conducts nursing in-services.
• Assists with maintenance of patient medical records.

• Demonstrates department specific competencies, including age specific competencies for all ages.

• Arranges for medication refills.
• Shares knowledge, nursing skills, experience, and patient education advice with physicians.

• Supports and maintains joint commission standard. 
• Attends nursing in-service and continuing education programs.
• Documents vitals, history, meds, procedures and instructions according to DMH policies and unit standards. 
• Demonstrates care and knowledge in medication administration.
• Arranges for medication and medication refills. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.