Overview The LPN is responsible for performing a wide variety of nursing care, patient activities, and accommodative services for the comfort and well-being of patients in accordance with physicians' orders and under the guidance and direction of the Registered Nurse. Responsibilities • Performs basic nursing care and patient procedures as required. • Participates in conferences and serves on Committees as requested. • Observes, reports, and documents in the patient chart changes in patient's condition, observations made, and complaints voiced and nursing care performed. • Participates in patient and family health education as necessary. • Provides a safe and secure environment for the patient. • Prepares for and assists with diagnostic and therapeutic treatments. • May administer I.V.F. in accordance with state Nurse Practice Act. • Checks, irrigates and maintains drainage tubes as needed. • May insert N/G tubes after training. (KY & VA). • May administer tube feedings. • Suctions patients according to hospital policy and procedure. • Functions in emergencies and on the code team as designated. • Performs catheterizations and provides catheter care. • Administers oral and intra-muscular, intradermal, subcu, I.V., PB, and medications as approved. • Administers I.V.P. medications as approved. (In Virginia only). • Cares for patients receiving oxygen therapy and analyses oxygen concentration of O₂ tents, isolette and croupettes. • Administers respiratory treatments (I.P.P.B.). • Applies sterile and unsterile compresses and bandages of all types and styles. • Answers call lights, assists patients with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living. • Tests urine for sugar, acetone, and ph., weighs patients, and takes vital signs. • Cares for patients in isolation. • Assists with physical and vaginal examinations and obtaining pap smears. • Administers post-operative regime: cough, deep breathing, turn patients, and takes vital signs. • Prepares patients for surgery, including pre-op check lists. • Applies ace bandages, all types of traction, hot water bottle and ice cap. • Measures and records intake and output. • Collects specimens; blood, urine, stool and sputum. • Administers post-mortuum care and transportation. • Administers enemas: retention, cleansing, therapeutic, colonic, irrigation. • Maintains cleanliness, safety and efficiency in nursing. • Alert to and able to respond appropriately in an emergency situation, providing patient care, initiating CPR and any other tasks designated by the RN or MD. • Assists with the care and security of the patients' valuables. • Checks narcotics and barbiturates, reports discrepancies, completes incident report appropriately and submits to appropriate management. • Cares for patients with radium and assists physician with removal of radium. • Prepares used equipment for re-sterilization. • Cleans and maintains storage of equipment. • Requests repairs and follows up with physician and other staff as appropriate regarding equipment performance. • Complies with hospital policies for obtaining, documenting and follow through on telephone and verbal orders. • Monitors glucose via glucose monitor machine. • Collects Quality Improvement data as requested. • Uses universal precautions. • Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education • Graduate of an accredited school of practical nursing. Licenses & Certifications • Must maintain current licensure in state of practice. • Must successfully complete the I.V. Therapy Course. Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities • Technical skills in special nursing fields preferred. Experience • Six (6) months to one (1) year on-the-job training is required to attain proficiency of performance of assigned duties.