Under supervision of the registered nurse, performs a variety of patient care activities.  Provides care appropriate to the age of the patients served.  Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.  Assists the registered nurse in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes of care.  Is accountable for own nursing actions and competencies.  Communicates effectively with others.  Performs all duties in accordance with the State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act and established standards, policies, procedures and guidelines.

Education:

• Successful graduation from an accredited practical nursing program

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Current LPN licensure in the state of Illinois.
• Current BLS/CPR certification

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to position and/or transfer an average adult patient and possess gross coordination sufficient to perform other patient care duties as required. Must be able to withstand prolonged periods of standing.  Must be able to perform difficult manipulative skills such as IV insertion and IM injections.
• Environmental working conditions include exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue, contagious diseases and/or radioactive or other potentially hazardous materials.

Annual Requirements:

1. Attends all Joint Commission, OSHA, and hospital/nurse manager specified mandatory inservices.
2. Validates competencies and obtains credentials as identified in unit specific requirements.
3. Completion of annual self-evaluation and submission of peer feedback at time of performance appraisal.

1. Nursing Care

• Data Collection:
• Observes, records and reports objective and subjective patient data.
• Demonstrates ability to detect signs and symptoms of deviation from normal health status.
• Informs RN of abnormal or changing data and of patient/family responses to interventions. 

• Planning:
• Provides information to assist the RN in developing the nursing plan of care.

• Intervention:
• Completely performs tasks/procedures as appropriately delegated (see Table 1).
• Uses equipment safely.
• Takes appropriate action in life-threatening situations/emergencies.
• Accurately administers medications by appropriately delegated routes.
• Utilizes appropriate infection control safety measures.
• Acts to prevent harm or injury to patient, self and others.
• Documents and communicates to RN nursing interventions and patient responses.
• Seeks supervision prior to initiating new or unfamiliar nursing activities and/or with a change in patient condition.

Table 1

Per the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, LPNs are restricted from:

·      Administering medications via central lines

·      Administering medication via intravenous (IV) push

·      Administering chemotherapy via IV routes

·      Starting or adding blood or blood components

·      Completing and documenting admission comprehensive head-to-toe assessment and initial plan of care

·      Obtaining verbal or telephone orders from a provider

• Evaluation:
• Observes, records and reports patient responses to nursing interventions and other relevant data to the RN.
• Assists the RN to evaluate and modify the plan of care. 

• Patient/Family Education:
• Assists the RN to identify, implement and evaluate age appropriate teaching interventions.
• Reinforces teaching initiated by other members of the healthcare team. 

• Communication:
• Informs RN of abnormal and/or changing data and patient/family response to interventions.
• Develops and maintains interviewing skills required for data collection. 

2. Quality and Safety

• Communicates and documents potential risk issues to appropriate personnel.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement.
• Participates in review and revision of policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Complies with all safety policies.

 3. Accountability

• Advocates for patients and families.
• Appropriately follows the chain of command. .
• Participates in community organizations
• Identifies annual goals for own professional development.
• Provides constructive feedback to strengthen the Division of Nursing and the colleague’s department/unit.

4. Performs other related work as required or requested.