JOB TITLE: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE: 30260

DEFINITION: This is practical nursing and supervisory 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 is responsible for practical nursing and individual/ patient/resident/inmate health care and treatment duties for a ward/living or treatment area on an assigned shift and for the supervision of staff performing nonprofessional individual/patient/resident/inmate direct care duties. Work includes preparing, administering, and recording medications and health care treatments prescribed by a physician, and observing and reporting changes in the physical and emotional behavior of individuals/patients/resident/inmates with a mental or physical injury or illness and/or developmental disability or individuals having difficulty meeting 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 participating in carrying out the total treatment program to include habilitation and/or rehabilitation programs as established by the interdisciplinary treatment team. This includes daily living and leisure time activities. Work is performed in accordance with rules and regulations and appropriate practical nurse standards and nursing care procedures. Supervisory work involves assigning and scheduling of nonprofessional work, reviewing completed work and evaluating nonprofessional subordinates work performance. Supervision is exercised over nonprofessional work performed by Licensed Practical Nurses [LPNs] and/or Aides during and upon completion of assignments. Clinical work is performed under the direction of a Registered Nurse or a Physician through reports and ward or living area inspections and observation for quality of work performed and for adherence to established standards in the application of practical nursing practices.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

• Supervises staff performing nonprofessional individual/ patient/resident/inmate health care and treatment duties; and participates with staff in practical nursing duties for persons with 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.

• Assigns and reviews nonprofessional work performed by subordinate level LPNs and/or Aides during and upon completion of assignments to maintain staff efficiency; and provides structured on-the-job training sessions in nonprofessional individual/ patient/resident/inmate care duties for new employees to ensure quality care.

• Prepares and signs the work performance evaluation reports on nonprofessional work performed by subordinate level LPNs and/or Aides supervised based upon established work performance standards.

• Makes rounds of assigned ward/living or treatment area; inspects and corrects any deficiencies in the individuals'/patients'/residents'/inmates' health and safety conditions and ward maintenance to ensure continuity of individuals'/patients'/ residents'/inmates' care and treatment services.

• Prepares and administers medications ordered by a 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 habilitation/ rehabilitation treatment program plans.

• 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 does 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 a physician under the direction of a registered nurse or physician, such as enemas, special dressings, soaks and treatments involving the application of ointment and lotion, hot water bottles and ice packs in order to meet the mental and physical needs of the individuals/ patients/residents/inmates.

• Supervises the administration of unmedicated treatments, such as, but not limited to enemas, soaks, hot water bottles and ice packs.

• Transcribes and puts physician/s' orders into effect in accordance with policies 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; notes and records indicative signs and symptoms of the individuals'/patients/residents/inmates physical and mental condition in order to maintain accurate records.

• Ensures significant changes in individuals'/patients/residents/inmates behavior, attitude or physical condition, are being accurately observed and reported; and that rehabilitative/habilitative procedures are being followed; and that individuals/ patients/residents/inmates are being encouraged to strive for independence in self-help activities, including participation in appropriate program services.

• Prepares and maintains progress notes; provides input for interdisciplinary treatment team care plans and summary reports on the individuals/patients/ residents/inmates to document/summarize care given and to ensure complete and accurate records.

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

• Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team by providing input based on practical nursing expertise for the professional assessment of individual nursing care needs; and planning for the development of comprehensive individual habilitative/rehabilitative care and treatment plans; and the follow through of goals in order to normalize the individual/patient/resident/inmate; and/or to help them 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 professional nurses and/or physician/s in the preparation of individual/ patient/resident/inmate schedules for minor surgery; assists in an operating room, clinic, and/or emergency room, as assigned; prepares supplies, instruments, and other items for sterilization; prepares the individual/patient/ resident/inmate for surgery; and serves as an assistant to a circulating nurse.

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

• Prepares individuals/patients/residents/ inmates for tests and x-rays, physical therapy, etc., for the purpose of providing optimal health care.

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

• Supervises and takes and/or records temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure for the purpose of monitoring the day-to-day health care of assigned individuals/patients/residents/inmates.

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

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

• Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

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

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

• Knowledge of medications prescribed; the proper preparation and administration procedures/techniques, including expected effects, calculation of dosage, drug interactions, side effects and expected response to ensure safe medication.

• Ability to prepare ward and individual/patient/resident/inmate reports and maintain records.

• Ability to plan, assign, review and supervise the work of employees engaged in nonprofessional individual/patient/resident/inmate direct care duties.

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

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

• Ability to administer prescribed medications and treatments and to observe, record and report symptoms, vital signs and response to health care interventions.

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

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

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• One year of experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse (Commonwealth title);

or

• Two years of experience in the practical nursing care of persons with a mental or physical injury or illness and/or developmental disability and graduation from a school of practical nursing approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

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