Licensed Practical Nurse

Our mission to provide patients with the highest possible quality of healthcare within an atmosphere of genuine caring. This includes recognition of the importance of quality customer service to patients, visitors and staff. Each nurse has the following responsibilities:

Responsibility: works in conjunction with the Registered Nurse staff in a safe and

appropriate manner.

Sensitivity: displays sensitivity and empathy to the needs of patients, visitors and staff.

Timeliness: recognizes time as a most valuable resource and responds promptly to

patients, visitors and staff.

Accuracy: works carefully and precisely with attention to detail.

Coordination: prioritizes delivery of care and utilizes resources to maximize efficiency.

Accountability: meets requirements of position. Coordinates care delivery with the

Registered Nurse staff.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR FUNCTION

Licensed Practical Nurses are responsible for the delivery of safe, timely, appropraite patient care through the use of the nursing process. The Licensed Practical Nurse understands and adheres to all hospital and department specific policies and procedures as well as to the practice standards set forth in the New Hamphsire Nurse Practice Act. The Registered Nurse retains the responsibility for the direction and guidance of ancillary personnel activities within the unit. The Licensed Practical Nurse provides individualized care, education and support which addresses the immediate and anticipated needs of the patient and family across the care continuum. Review of individual job descriptions with employees is an on-going part of our annual performance evaluation program.

PATIENT CARE

A) Assess-in conjunction with the Registered Nurse

The nursing process is utilized to provide comprehensive, age appropriate

nursing assessment including biophysical, psychological, social and

educational needs. All data collection is completed within appropriate

time frame , as defined by written hosptial policy

Assessment of patients learning needs, abilities, preferences and readiness

to learn with consideration to cultural and religious practices, emotional

barriers and financial implications of care choices.

P) Plan-in conjunction with the Registered Nurse

Patient data collection and interview is utilized to formulate an individual

care plan within the limits of New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act and

Littleton Regional Hospital policies and procedures.

Patient and family involvement in development of the plan of care and all

care decisions will be a priority.

I) Implement-in conjunction with the Registered Nurse

Implementation of all clinical and technical aspects of individual patient

care plan to include the use of proper techniques, infection control

guidelines, established procedures/safety precautions to meet the

individual needs/priorities of the patient.

Supports and augments the medical regimen by implementation of

physician orders.

Provides accurate and timely documentation of nursing interventions,

patient response, and nursing evaluation and further actions if required.

E) Evaluate-in conjunction with the Registered Nurse

Reviews and evaluates patient care plan through continuous patient

assessment. The plan of care is coordinated in consultation with

multidisciplinary team involvement and adjusted to provide seamless

delivery of care across the patient care continuum.

Ongoing evaluation of patient care will include continued patient/family

involvement and adjustment to meet the evolving biophysical, psychological,

social and educational needs.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Supports and contributes to the Mission and Vision of Littleton Regional Hospital with

a continuous focus on excellence in customer service and patient care delivery.

Establishes and maintains a professional relationship with patients, visitors, staff,

physicians and the community.

Adheres to hospital, departmental, and compliance policies, procedures, regulations, and

laws (OSHA, DEA, CLIA, etc)

Assures confidentiality of patient information at all times.

Assesses personal learning and professional growth needs and seeks educational

opportunities to meet those needs.

Performs other duties as needed within the scope of practice in support of departmental

and institutional needs and requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND WORK ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL INPATIENT DUTIES

Assigns ancillary staff to patient care in accordance with the patients' needs and within

the scope of practice of the individual.

Provides support and functions as a clinical resource.

Recognizes educational needs and facilitates professional growth.

Communicates concerns regarding patient care issues and variances from expected job

performance to direct supervisor.

Participates in orientation of new personnel and functions as a clinical resource for unit

Participates in the continuous Quality Improvement of the unit & Nursing Department

through

Data collection/auditing

Incident investigation

Committee involvement

Professional collaboration

PHSYICAL ENVIRONMENT

Exposed to all patient elements including exposure to human waste. At times, long and

irregular hours are necessary. Exposure to hazardous substances is, at times,

unavoidable. Frequently, multiple tasks and patient needs must be addressed in a rapid

fashion with prioritizing life-threatening situations and organization of the remainder of

the needs.

PROBABILITY AND CONSEQUENCES OF ERRORS

Errors in practice can result in negative patient outcome. Individual practice affects

probability of error. Poor performance in meeting job description criteria will be

addressed according to established progressive disciplinary polices and procedures of

Littleton Regional Hospital and the New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act.

Must be currently licensed or eligible for licensure as a Licensed

Practical Nurse in New Hampshire.

Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing

1-2 years previous clinical nursing experience in an acute care setting

preferred

Must possess the ability to interact well with people and deal with

stressful situations appropriately.

Must possess excellent documentation skills.

Must be flexible and able to work as member of the team.

Must have ability to understand medical records, provider's orders

Must have ability to communicate compassionately with patients,

families, visitors and office staff

Cross training to a minimum of one secondary area

Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification

Basic computer skills to include order entry

Competency in intravenous and respiratory therapy skills-in accordance

with hospital policies

All staff will be required to float, when needed, within the parameters of

orientation and hospital policy