LPNs take care of patients that have long term treatment needs. Often, these patients do not have a safe discharge plan to complete the treatment elsewhere and therefore continue to have a bed in the hospital. LPNs could have the opportunity to have hands on experience with wound care and IV antibiotics, among other long term care treatment. LPNs may often work beside acute care RNs but not directly in acute patient care areas.  They work in collaboration with a C.N.A., charge RN, unit coordinator and physician. LPN staff with a variety of experience and backgrounds work on this unit. We strive to support learning and continuted education with all staff. Complex discharge units have medically stable but complex patients who are pending a safe discharge plan. 

The LPN must think critically, be able to problem solve and be ready to learn. Excellent communication with teammates and patients is essential. The ability to maintain compassion for this complex patient population is also essential.

Staff on this unit value teamwork. Our physician partners work closely with this team to support in providing the best care posible for our patients.

The staff Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for patient care within an assigned nursing unit/department and participates as a member of the health care team in cooperation with and under the direction of a registered nurse.  As defined in performance standards, the staff LPN contributes to the nursing assessment and establishment of nursing diagnosis, participates in care plan development and evaluation and provides patient care following established nursing and unit/department standards, including those for patient assessment and transfer. 

Assessment:

• Contributes to and communicates age appropriate admission and daily bio/psycho/social assessments.  Collects, reports and records objective and subjective data in an accurate and timely manner. 
• Observes the patient's condition or changes in condition. 
• Documents the observations in a timely, legible and concise manner in accordance with written guidelines.
• Validates patient classification indicator via required documentation.

Analysis:

• Contributes to the establishment of nursing diagnosis and clinical problem identification.
• Identifies and reports the significant deviations from the norm to the RN, MD and oncoming shift.

Planning: 

• Participates in establishing and updating and individualized plan of care in collaboration with RN, patient and family.
• Provides data and contributes to the identification of priorities.
• Involves the patient/family in individualizing/modifying the nursing plan of care in collaboration with the RN.
• Reviews and updates the nursing plan of care to reflect current patient status by the end of the shift.

Implementation:

• Participates in implementing the planned nursing and medical interventions with knowledge and competence in accordance with written standards of practice.
• Provides care for patients whose conditions are stable or predictable under minimal supervision of the RN or MD.
• Cares for patients whose conditions are critical and/or fluctuating under direct supervision of the RN or MD.
• Carries out the planned interventions with knowledge and competence.
• Uses interpersonal skills that convey a positive and supportive attitude.
• Determines and communicates patient/family desired level of participation in care.                    

Evaluation:

• Contributes to the evaluation of the patient's response to interventions and contributes to care plan modifications.            
• Establishes appropriate care priorities based on patient response to treatments and interventions in collaboration with the RN.
• Communicates patient responses and progress to an RN, during verbal report, on the appropriate

Education:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Experience:

Clinical experience requirements are dependent upon the specific position.       

LEGACY’S VALUES IN ACTION:

Follows guidelines set forth in Legacy’s Values in Action.

Equal opportunity employer/vet/disabled.

Licensure/Certification

Current applicable state Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) required.

AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers