JOB TITLE: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE

JOB CODE: 30250

DEFINITION: This is practical nursing work in the care and treatment of individuals with a mental or physical injury or illness and/or developmental disability or the care of individuals having difficulty meeting their daily living activities at a Commonwealth facility.

An employee in this class implements nursing care plans by performing a variety of practical nursing and individual/patient/resident/inmate care duties including preparing, administering, and recording medications and treatments prescribed by the physician and observing and reporting changes in the physical and emotional behavior of individuals/patients/residents/inmates with a mental or physical injury or illness and/or developmental disability or individuals having difficulty meeting their daily living activities. Work also includes taking and recording vital signs, collecting specimens, and preparing and maintaining progress notes and other administrative reports as required. Work also involves participation in carrying out the total treatment program to include habilitation and rehabilitation programs as established by the interdisciplinary treatment team and include daily living and leisure time activities. Work may also involve charge responsibility for a living or patient care area, including responsibility for maintenance of prescribed treatment and therapeutic regimens; overseeing unlicensed personnel; and requesting professional evaluation, treatment or emergency care, as needed. Work is performed in accordance with established laws, rules, and regulations, and appropriate practical nursing standards and nursing procedures. Supervision may be received from a Licensed Practical Nurse Supervisor however, by law, nursing duties which require licensure are performed under the direction of a Registered Nurse or a Physician who reviews the work in progress, through reports and by ward or living area inspections and observations.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

• Participates in practical nursing and other patient/resident/inmate care duties for individuals who have a mental or physical injury or illness and/or developmental disability in order to assure that the emotional and physical needs of individuals /patients /residents/inmates are met.

• Prepares and administers medications ordered by the physician under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Physician such as oral medications, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections in order to carry out the individual treatment programs.

• Performs venipuncture and administers and withdraws intravenous fluids in accordance with functions as defined in state law and established agency/institution policies and procedures.

• Administers immunizing agents and performs skin testing, such as tine and PPD, and assesses and records results in accordance with functions as defined in state law and established agency/institution policies and procedures.

• Prepares and administers treatments ordered by the physician under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Physician such as enemas, special dressings, soaks and treatments involving the application of ointments and lotions, hot water bottles and ice packs in order to meet the physical needs of the individuals/ patients/residents/inmates.

• Transcribes and puts physicians' orders into effect in accordance with policy and procedures to assure that medications and/or treatments are administered as ordered.

• Provides inhalation and respiratory treatments, as prescribed in accordance with scope and extent of authorized functions and agency/institution policies and procedures.

• Records the administration of medications and/or treatments and notes and records indicative signs and symptoms of the individuals'/patients'/residents'/ inmates' physical and mental condition in order to maintain accurate records.

• Observes individuals/patients/residents/inmates for behavioral changes, responses to medication, side effects of medication, objective and subjective signs of physical illness or injury and reports findings to supervisor.

• Prepares and maintains progress notes and summary reports on the individual/ patient/resident/inmate in order to summarize the care given and to insure complete and accurate records.

• Gathers data, completes checklist and schedules physical therapy, occupational therapy and dietary consults.

• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team by providing input for the assessment of the nursing needs of each individual/patient/ resident/inmate and assists in the implementation of the individual treatment program plan in order to help the individual/patient/resident/inmate reach their highest level of potential and independence.

• Participates in quality assurance/improvement and risk management activities.

• Promotes and maintains health through teaching, guidance and counseling on injections, medications, personal hygiene and health care to individuals/patients/residents/inmates in accordance with scope and extent of authorized functions and practice under the direction of a licensed professional nurse.

• Assists the professional Registered Nurse or Physician during minor operations in clinics; prepares supplies, instruments, and other items for sterilization; prepares the individual/patient/resident/inmate for minor surgery, as appropriate; assists in the preparation of operating rooms for surgery and serves as an assistant to a circulating nurse.

• Schedules appointment for individuals/patients/residents/inmates such as chest x-rays, laboratory studies and EKGs.

• Prepares individuals/patients/residents/ inmates for tests and x-rays, physical therapy, etc.

• Escorts individuals/patients/residents/inmates to and from clinics, x-rays and other diagnostic services.

• Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure for the purpose of monitoring the day-to-day health care of the individual/patient/ resident/inmate.

• Obtains sputum, urine, blood, and other specimens as ordered; and labels and records appropriate information and sends for laboratory examination.

• Guides and encourages individuals/patients/residents/inmates to participate in habilitation and rehabilitation programs.

• Positions and/or lifts individuals/patients/residents/inmates with assistance, as required to assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting and grooming and physical treatment activities.

• Participates in housekeeping duties on the ward or living area to provide a comfortable, orderly, clean, and safe environment.

• Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of practical nursing theory and practice, and of the materials used and practical nursing procedures involved in ward and living areas.

• Knowledge of physical illnesses, injuries and/or developmental disabilities, including symptomatology, appropriate medical terminology, abbreviations and symbols.

• Knowledge of medications prescribed, including calibration of dosage, expected effects, drug interactions, side effects and expected response to ensure that the individual/patient/resident/inmate receives safe administration of medication.

• Ability to prepare ward, living area and individual/patient/resident/inmate care and treatment reports and to maintain appropriate records.

• Ability to maintain a therapeutic attitude toward individuals with a mental or physical injury or illness and/or developmental disability and to maintain effective working relationships with professional and non-professional staff and the general public.

• Ability to administer prescribed prescriptions and treatment and to observe, record and report symptoms, vital signs and response to health interventions provided.

• Ability to implement nursing care and treatment plans for each individual/patient/ resident/ inmate.

• Ability to understand and follow oral or written instructions.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to position, lift and transfer non-ambulatory individuals/patients/residents/ inmates as needed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require active authorization to practice as a Licensed Practice Nurse in Pennsylvania.

• All employees possessing an active temporary practice permit must obtain licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse within the one (1) year period defined by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.