Status:  Full Time

Shift:     Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

Exempt: No 

Summary:

The Licensed Practical Nurse is a member of the health care team and is responsible for providing quality nursing care utilizing North Oaks Health System standards of care. The LPN provides direct nursing care to adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients and adjusts methods appropriately to accommodate the needs specific to each age group. The LPN will uphold the Philosophy and Objectives of NOHS and will utilize effective communication between nursing personnel, physicians, other hospital departments, patients, and families. The LNP serves on committees as requested by Clinic AVP and manager. The LPN is responsible for patient care limited to guidelines established by the LSBN

Other information:

1. Previous Experience Required:

Previous LPN experience preferred, preferably in a neurological setting.

Must have and maintain BLS

2. Specialized or Technical Education Required:

Must be a graduate of an accredited nursing school, and be currently licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners and maintain licensure. Membership in an LPN organization is encouraged.

3. Manual or Physical Skill Required:

Must possess good physical health.

4. Physical Effort Required:

Strength: Light Push: Occasionally Pull: Occasionally

Carry: Frequently Lift: Frequently Sit: Frequently

Stand: Frequently Walk: Frequently

Responsibilities:

1. Ensure the maintenance of quality patient care.

A. Greet patients presenting to the office in a courteous and friendly manner.

B. Call patients from the waiting area in the order the chart becomes available and accompany to the exam room.

C. Prepare the patient for the provider encounter including obtaining and recording patient’s height, weight, vital signs, pain assessment and chief complaint. Growth charts will be completed per policy as indicated.

D. Review the medication list and all pertinent medical, surgical and social history and document those findings in the patient’s record.

E. Provide patient education as requested by the provider or indicated by the patient’s needs. Document all education provided will be noted in the patient’s record.

F. Assist provider with patient examinations and procedures, inclusive of set-up.

G. Administer medications in a safe, effective manner according to scope of practice and per policy.

H. Perform ancillary duties as requested and per policy.

I. Assist with aseptic and sterile dressing application.

J. Assist with the washing, identifying and returning of instruments to Sterile Services Department for sterilization.

K. Assist with the collection and preparation for transport of patient specimens in accordance with Universal Precaution Policy, clinic and laboratory requirements.

L. Assist with cleaning the patient treatment area after the patient visit is completed.

M. Perform daily quality control and clinic checklist functions as assigned. Refer to clinic specific policy and procedure manual.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: (continued)

N. Attention to patient’s/significant other’s psychosocial needs by appropriate social interaction.

O. Assist provider and other staff members, as needed.

P. Call in medication refills and return calls in response to patient’s messages as directed by a provider.

Q. Issue school/work excuses per provider request. The excuse will either be handwritten and scanned into the EMR or completed using the appropriate form in the EMR.

R. Schedule hospital tests as directed by a physician. Obtain proper pre-authorization as required. Ensure procedures meet medical justification, if applicable, or have an ABN signed.

S. Call patients regarding test results as directed by a physician.

T. Assist in the retrieval, logging and stocking of sample medications.

U. Must document appropriately and legibly at all times. Follow-up with all patients regarding diagnostic testing results and document all conversations appropriately in the patient record. Place follow-up phone calls to patients and/or pharmacies regarding prescription refills. Appropriately document and receive verbal/telephone orders from provider. Appropriately complete all required forms, including workers’ compensation and laboratory reference forms.

V. Prepares the patient, applying a variety of surface electrodes as required; performs Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) independently and accurately at clinic and hospital settings; obtains results.

VI. Distinguish between normal and abnormal results in NCS and describes all abnormal clinical manifestations observed during the test.

VII. Recognize physiological and non-physiological artifacts in NCS and takes appropriate steps to eliminate them.

W. Explain the test procedure to the patient and obtains the patient’s cooperation for the best performance of these procedures. Review the medical chart for orders and special needs.

X. Perform the appropriate calibration procedure on the Electromyography (EMG) instrument for standard recordings. Manipulate instrument controls for optimal recording of electrical responses.

Y. Assist physician with EMG studies as needed by preparing or manipulating the instrument and recording findings.

Z. Keep equipment in a clean, operating condition, detects instrument malfunctions, and makes minor maintenance adjustments or reports need for major repairs. Clean and maintains electrodes.

AA. Demonstrate knowledge of the peripheral nervous system, diseases related to neurodiagnostic medicine, instrumentation, basic electronics and electrical safety.

BB. Acquire specialized skills to perform more difficult procedures and other neurodiagnostic procedures such as evoked potentials (all modalities).

CC. Assist the physician with administering EMG guided botox injections including setting up EMG instrument.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: (continued)

DD. Act as a liaison between physician, hospital staff, patients, referral sources and Neurodiagnostic Department. Provides preliminary/final results as needed.

EE. File, print and enter NCS data into the hospital computer system.

FF. Participate in laboratory quality audit tools.

GG. Stocks laboratory with supplies and linens as indicated and maintains inventory of supplies.

HH. Continues education by participating in conferences and technical meetings.

II. Continues education through journals, workshops, seminars and site visits.

JJ. Participate in research projects as indicated.

KK. Responsible for proper documentation of all clinical information including selection of appropriate CPT/HCPCS codes.

LL. Attend continuing medical education courses as directed.

2. Adhere to policy and procedure.

A. Follows North Oaks Health System’s Compliance Program and Federal and State Regulatory guidelines.

B. Consistently attend monthly staff meetings.

C. Adhere to acceptable dress code.

D. Report all incidents and injuries. Report to manager/AVP as indicated.

E. Report all medication errors.

F. Comply with attendance policy.

G. Knowledgeable of hospital safety codes.

H. Report unsafe conditions.

I. Provide clean environment.

J. Account for medication.

3. Assist in operational functions.

A. Assist manager/AVP in maintenance of policies and procedures as designated.

B. Assist in maintaining inventory. Check for expired items on a monthly basis. Notify manager when numbers are low and need to be replaced. Clean and stock exam rooms as needed.

4. Maintain satisfactory communications.

A. Communicate effectively by expressing ideas clearly, actively listening and always following appropriate channel of communication. Demonstrate responsiveness to others ensuring a complete follow up on matters requiring additional attention.

B. Promote satisfactory relationships. Communicate with patients, visitors, staff, and physicians in a courteous and professional manner.

C. Coordinate referrals, hospital procedure testing, and admissions with appropriate personnel as required. Assist with office duties including answering calls, pulling charts, filing, audits, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: (continued)

5. Participate in professional development activities.

A. Attend committee meetings as designated by manager/AVP.

B. Attend in-service programs as requested.

C. Share knowledge with others.

6. Perform other duties as directed.