Home Health - LPN

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following duties: Functions as part of the health care team in providing safe and effective therapy for assigned patients under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. Participates in the implementation and evaluation of patient care. Requires an LPN license. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. An entry level role that applies broad theoretical job knowledge typically obtained through advanced education. May require the following proficiency: work is closely supervised, problems faced are not typically difficult or complex, and explains facts, policies and practices related to job area.

Job Overview

The LPN provides nursing care to patients and families in their home. The scope of nursing includes direct patient care, and patient advocacy in the coordination of care with the multidisciplinary team, and with the nursing case manager. The LPN may collect data on the health status of the patient, in conjunction with other members of the health care team, for the identification of health goals. The LPN assures care for patient and families that is reflective of the organization's core values. The Licensed Practical Nurse is knowledgeable about and supportive of the primary nursing model.

Job Description

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Graduation from an accredited practical nursing program.

3. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

4. One (1) year of acute nursing experience

5. Basic Life Support Certification.

6. State issued driver's License and personal auto insurance.

7. IV certification required dependent upon needs of the role

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Home care nursing experience preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Assess, and using evidence based practice, implements nursing interventions

2. Assess the patient's physical and psychosocial needs to determine health status within the scope of licensure.

3. Collects relevant data and documents the information according to Medicare record policy & procedure.

4. Completes all nursing documentation per procedures and nursing standard of practice including assessments, interventions, responses to interventions, communications, verbal orders, etc.

5. Derives a holistic nursing diagnosis from comprehensive patient assessment and prioritizes same according to patient need. Nursing diagnoses are documented according to agency record procedure and are reviewed and revised as indicated.

6. Follows the nursing care plan, established by the RN Case Manager, based on nursing diagnoses that includes measurable, realistic, and time directed goals and nursing interventions specific to the problem and individual patient; reports information about progress or changes to the RN Case Manager. Follows the nursing care plan demonstrating consideration of the following criteria: Patient learning needs; Patient's priority needs; Patient's maximum health potential; Patient's changing health status; Patient's discharge planning needs; Safe, skillful, effective and efficient therapeutic action; and Collaboration and communication with other health care team members (i.e., R.N.'s, rehabilitation staff, physicians, social services, community agencies staff and home health aides).

8. Communicates the effectiveness of the nursing care plan as needed and consults with RN Case Manager regarding revision of the plan of care as needed.

9. Provides therapeutic care, education and referral, seeking maximum patient & family participation and independence.

10. Keeps the RN Case Manager informed of visit via voice mail messages or in person after patient assignment completed.

11. In consultation with the RN Case Manager, may coordinate the delivery of multidisciplinary services to a primary patient population through appropriate referral, follow-up, and advocacy.

12. Assesses patient needs relative to HHAs and communicates with team RNs and HHA Manager. Demonstrates responsiveness to the observations and concerns of the HHA; documents accordingly.

13. Develops, maintains, and applies a knowledge of third party payer (Medicare, Medicaid and, private insurance) guidelines governing eligibility for reimbursable home health services

14. Documents data in the computerized patient record, and in a timely, legible, organized, concise manner to insure compliance with legal, certification, and third party payer requirements.

15. Seeks supervisory consultation with unusual/unfamiliar patient care situations and/or questions regarding home health policy and procedure and/or reimbursement guidelines.

16. Maintains a current body of knowledge and clinical competence through ongoing participation in continuing education relevant to the area of practice.

17. Participates in performance evaluation through professional and clinical goal setting.

18. Understands and practices agency safety guidelines and procedures including general safety, office (ergonomic) safety, fire safety, proper body mechanics, and proper patient/material handling.

19. Performs in a professional manner at all times, and maintains professional boundaries.

20. Assists in orientation and education of new employees and students as assigned; provides field demonstrations and acts as Preceptor.

21. Demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of what to report to the CEO or Chief Compliance Officer when concerns of corporate compliance arise.

22. Ensures compliance within guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies (DPH, ERISA etc.) and demonstrates compliance with Home Health Foundation policies and procedures.

23. Practices confidentiality principles set by the agency and federal HIPAA/HITECH guidelines.

24. Participates in all mandatory in-services.

Physical Requirements:

1. Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking.

2. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfer patients and equipment.

3. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching.

4. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc.

5. Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases and other transmissible infections.

6. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances.

7. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.

8. Handle emergency and crisis situations.

9. Subjected to irregular hours.

10. May have contact with hazardous materials.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, physicians, and healthcare team.

2. Knowledge and application of the nursing process to implement a nursing plan of care.

3. Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

4. Demonstrates the skills and knowledge to provide care to the age groups of the population served including: Knowledge of growth and development; Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care; and provide age-appropriate communication.

5. Demonstrates essential knowledge of pharmacology/medications in administering drugs and monitoring the patient's response.