A. BASIC PURPOSE

A clinically competent, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who delivers care to patients in their place of residence through the nursing process of data collection, planning, implementation and evaluation. The nurse follows through with the plan of care established by the registered professional nurse and effectively interacts with the patients, caregivers, and other members of the health care team while maintaining established standards of nursing. Must be knowledgeable regarding the nursing process and its application, including the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care.

B. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Data Collection/Follows Plan of Care
1. In collaboration with patient, caregivers, and other members of the health care team:
i. Performs ongoing patient visits.
ii. Demonstrates proficiency in the data collection of the patient’s physical, psychosocial, emotional, family and support system and environmental status for appropriateness for home care.
2. Follows the written plan of care that was developed by the registered, professional nurse in conjunction with other members of the health care team (physician, therapists, nurses, medical social worker, and home health aide) based on medical and nursing diagnoses, identified patient care needs and standards of care.
3. Identifies patient care needs based on ongoing home visits and reports these to the registered nurse.
4. In conjunction with the registered nurse, identifies expected outcomes and establishes realistic goals for patient and caregivers based on data collection during home visits.
5. In conjunction with the registered nurse, determines nursing interventions and teaching required to achieve each expected outcome and goal.
6. Assists in coordinating care and service provided to patient by other members of the health care team including agency employees, other agencies and vendors.
7. Complies with Home Health documentation/communication expectations.
8. Complies with Home Health policies and procedures related to Infection Control, including, but not limited to:
i. Handwashing
ii. Body Substance Precautions
iii. Disposal of Medically Related Material
iv. Post-Exposure Testing and Prophylaxis
v. Cleaning, Disinfecting and Redistributing of Medical Equipment and Supplies

Intervention
1. Performs skilled nursing procedures as ordered by patient’s physician in accordance with Home Health policies and procedures and LPN Practice Act.
2. Provides education to patient and caregivers regarding medical condition, medications and nutritional requirements.
3. Demonstrates proficiency in performance of nursing skills necessary to care for patients.
4. Documents relevant and accurate patient information in the clinical record according to agency policies and procedures.
5. Clinical notes are documented the day of the visit along with related documentation (verbal orders, etc.) and submitted within 48 hours of the visit.
6. Vital signs are required on every billable visit or documentation of why they were not taken; weights and pain are documented on every visit or as ordered.
7. ALL wounds must be measured on each visit.
8. Verbal orders are written the date the order is received and mailed to physician.
9. Treatments and care procedures and medication profiles are documented and updated as change in physician orders are obtained.
10. Updates patient plan of care.
11. Voicemail must be listened to prior to and after shift.
12. Communicates all pertinent patient care and scheduling information needed by Supervisor on a daily basis.
13. Effectively orders and uses supplies in accordance with payer requirements.
14. Uses appropriate lab slip and/or specimen container and completes labels appropriately according to pay source requirements.
15. Demonstrates skills related to safe use of equipment.
16. Demonstrates skills to prevent personal injury; uses good body mechanics and safe driving practices.
17. Demonstrates ability to organize and prioritize assignments.

Evaluation of Outcomes of Care
1. Documents patient and/or caregiver response to care, interventions and/or teaching.
2. Documents patient progress toward outcomes of care.
3. In conjunction with the registered nurse, modifies plan of care based on ongoing provision of care and data collection.
4. Patient plan of care is reviewed and revised as patient’s condition warrants, no less than every 60 days, when there is a significant change in condition and on discharge.
5. Phones patient’s physician immediately with significant changes in the patient’s condition.
6. Reports significant findings during visits to Supervisor, Registered Nurse and other agency employees visiting patient.
7. Attends appropriate meetings as scheduled and required to participate in coordination of patient care, receive agency updates, educational material, etc.
8. Presents accurate, concise reports with relevant patient information at team meetings or when providing patient updates.
9. Makes referrals to other members of the health care team as appropriate.
10. Discipline discharges are completed the day of the discharge visit or when notified; documentation is submitted within 48 hours.
i. Completes agency discharge if no other services are active with patient.
ii. Discharge instruction sheet must be signed at visit (preferred) or mailed to patient.
iii. Documents that physician was notified of discharge and completes verbal order if one is not included on admission
11. Discharge summaries are completed within 48 hours of the patient discharge.

Resource Utilization
1. Ascertains knowledge of patient pay source and make visits appropriately.
2. Ensures managed care patients have authorizations prior to visits.
3. Schedules are submitted to Supervisor in advance or informs Supervisor of availability for work according to agency policy.

Leadership
1. Adheres to the Code of Ethical Behavior.
2. Complies with Home Health policies and procedures.
3. Demonstrates behavior that facilitates the smooth operation of the home health agency.
4. Maintains confidentiality of all patient and agency information following HIPAA guidelines regarding patient information.
5. Demonstrates awareness of own behavior and its effect on own/agency productivity and effectiveness.
6. Provides complete and accurate information for the weekend and holiday visit schedule.
7. Assumes responsibility for weekend and holiday and evening visits as assigned.
8. Participates in on-call rotation as required.

Professionalism
1. Demonstrates responsibility in the role of Licensed Practical Nurse.
2. Participates in agency activities which promote quality patient care and/or are part of the agency’s Performance Improvement (PI) program.
i. Quarterly Clinical Record Review
ii. Performance Improvement Studies
iii. Membership on PI Teams as requested
3. Maintains current knowledge of nursing and home health through participation in seminars, inservices, and independent professional reading program.
4. Participates in staff meetings, agency sponsored inservices and team meetings.
5. Completes a minimum of twelve (12) hours of inservices per year.
6. Exercises good health and personal hygiene practices.
7. Adheres to agency’s dress code/uniform policy. Maintains an appearance that projects a professional image.
8. Maintains satisfactory attendance.
9. Deals with conflict situations in a professional manner.
10. Identifies and progresses toward meeting personal and professional goals.
11. Demonstrates awareness of patient care and agency needs by accepting additional assignments, visits, etc.

C. HUMAN RELATIONS

1. Must maintain a professional attitude and demeanor and be able to communicate effectively and relate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers, colleagues, supervisors, co-workers and all others.
2. Must be able to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to work constructively with other health care team members which reflect concern for the well-being of patients and employees.

D. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (See Attached Physical Requirements.)

1. This position requires the nurse to work in a variety of environments (housing styles, cleaning and maintenance, heating and cooling) as the nurse visits patients in their place of residence.
2. Visual/hearing ability must be sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication.
3. The nurse must have ability sufficient to ambulate throughout a patient's home, navigating stairs and other physical barriers typical to private residences.
4. The nurse must be able to operate a motor vehicle and travel to and visit in patient’s homes in varying weather and road conditions.
5. Must be able to deal effectively with stress.
The physical demands described above and on the attached sheet are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

E. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Education
a. Must be a graduate of an accredited Licensed Practical Nursing program.
2. Experience
a. One year of experience in acute care; previous home health experience preferred.
3. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification
a. Must possess current and valid license as a Licensed Practical Nurse to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the Practical Nurse Law (63 P.S. §§651-667).
b. Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and reliable transportation that is insured in accordance with state laws and requirements.
c. Satisfactory references from employers and/or professional peers.
d. Satisfactory criminal background check.
e. Maintains current CPR certification, if required.

I have read and understand the Licensed Practical Nurse job description. It has been reviewed and discussed with me and I have had the opportunity to ask questions regarding same.