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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00005562 |
Description Activated On: 3/25/2025 8:48:35 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This is licensed 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. You are a designated Essential Employee of the Department of Human Services (DHS). |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) implements nursing care by performing duties under the direction of the Registered Nurse. Work is performed in accordance with established laws, rules, and regulations, and appropriate practical nursing standards and nursing procedures. The LPN demonstrates the ability to function autonomously and remain within their scope of practice. By law, nursing duties which require licensure are performed under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Prescriber who reviews the work in progress. Work is reviewed and evaluated by a Registered Nurse through observation, review of reports and conferences for quality and adherence to established standards in the application of nursing practices. Work assignments are received in the form of oral or written instructions and employees exercise independent judgment in the application of nursing practices within their scope of practice. The LPN must have the ability to work on any assigned unit within the facility as assigned by nursing supervision which may include reassignment throughout the shift to accommodate unit needs. Exception to this is with administrative approval only. The LPN is responsible for having knowledge of the biopsychosocial as well as the cultural elements of the patient. SUPPORTIVE ACTIVITIES: A. This position is responsible for the direct delivery of practical nursing care under the direction and supervision of a RN. Practical nursing care consists of the elements of physical care, procedural treatment, and psychosocial care and completion of prescribers’ orders. 1. The duties associated with physical care consist of but are not limited to: a. Assists or completes all aspects of ADLs/grooming for the patients. b. Administers first-aid measures. d. Position, move, lift and/or transfer non-ambulatory patients with assistance or use of a mechanical lifting devices as per the manufacturer’s recommendations and proper body mechanics. e. Lifts and carries up to 50 pounds. f. Identify and reports actual or potential health and safety hazards. g. Escorts patients on and off grounds as assigned. h. Assists pts. in a wheelchair to be secured in the wheelchair van. i. Maintenance, ordering, preparing, administering, and recording medications and treatments in accordance with prescribers' orders and CSSH and Departmental Policy and Procedures. 2. The duties associated with procedural treatment consist of but are not limited to: a. Is responsible to count and maintain accurate records of controlled substances and other medications as per hospital and nursing department policy and procedures as assigned. b. Administers medications utilizing facility selected medication dispensing system. c. Reviews prescribers orders. d. Reports all medication errors and completes required documentation. e. Responds to emergencies and assists as assigned. f. Collects specimens such as urine, feces, and sputum. g. Performs blood glucose monitoring. h. Prepares patients for scheduled procedures and laboratory studies. i. Makes rounds and completes patient count. j. Observes patients for behavioral changes, responses to medication, side effects of medication, objective and subjective signs of physical illness or injury and reports findings to the unit RN. k. Orders and replenishes supplies. l. Administers treatments, such as soaks, hot and cold compresses, dressings, slings, and anti-emboli stockings, as ordered by the prescriber. m. Observes, records and reports symptoms, vital signs, and the effects of pharmacological agents and therapeutic treatments to the RN. 3. The duties associated with psychosocial care consist of but are not limited to: a. Interacts with patients in a group and one-to-one basis; actively participates in the development of therapeutic relationships between patients and personnel. b. Responds to the psychiatric needs of patients by actively providing specialized psychiatric nursing interventions as ordered by the Prescriber. Applies physical restraint per policy as directed by RN. c. Responds to psychiatric emergencies, provides the patient(s) with individual instruction, assistance, support as needed and/or as directed by RN. Such as: 1) Alternatives to Restraint as per the Commonwealth’s approved crisis intervention techniques through the contracted vendor. a. Verbal de-escalation techniques. b. Non-Verbal (Physical) de-escalation techniques. 2) Suicide Precautions. 3) Special Levels of Observation 4) Protective Devices c. Provides input to the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team. d. Treats patients with dignity and respect. e. Responds to the patient's psychosocial needs in accordance with the Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP). f. Utilizes therapeutic communication skills. g. Acts as a patient advocate/ Commits no acts of patient abuse. h. Identifies and reports patient abuse allegations as per established policy and procedure. i. The LPN contributes to the maintenance of the therapeutic milieu. j. Work involves participation in carrying out the individualized treatment interventions as established by the inter-disciplinary treatment team. B. The LPN is responsible to have knowledge and practice current Infection Control techniques. This is accomplished through recognizing, educating, promoting, and personally adhering to Infection Control practices during the delivery of all phases of patient care. 1. The duties associated with Infection Control consist of but are not limited to: a. Practices proper personal hygiene techniques such as thorough hand washing. b. Performs light housekeeping duties in the patient care areas; maintains a clean environment in both patient rooms and common areas of the assigned unit, this includes but is not limited to cleaning of or assistance with incontinence episodes, spilled liquids/food, etc. in the patient care areas. c. Folds and properly stores clean linen. d. Assures that patients have and utilize adequate personal supplies. e. Cleans treatment supply cabinets and refrigerators. f. Disinfects unit emergency equipment. g. Monitors refrigerator temperature. h. Responsible to implement and adhere to Infection Control practices during the delivery of all aspects of patient care. i. Wears gloves when performing direct patient care. C. This position is responsible to complete all required documentation in the patient record, as well as all other forms and reports as assigned. 1. This includes but is not limited to: a. Completes all required patient documentation utilizing only facility approved abbreviations at the frequency and in the form (paper and/or electronic) within the timeframes dictated by facility policy and procedures. b. Documentation is completed in a thorough yet concise manner to accurately portray patient events, needs and status. c. The LPN responds to all communications orally, electronically and written, using a clear, concise, timely manner. d. Maintains confidentiality of patient and hospital information. e. The LPN is responsible for observing, documenting and reporting changes in the physical, psychological and emotional behavior of patients to the RN. D. This position is responsible to contribute to the expansion of job knowledge and maintenance of competency. 1. Duties associated with this include, but are not limited to: a. The LPN maintains licensure and certifications. b. Reads new policies and procedures and are responsible for content. c. Attends and participates in staff meetings, all scheduled mandatory educational programs, assigned committee meetings; assigned PI/QI activities. d. Participation on assigned committee meetings and projects. e. In person meetings with supervision. E. This position is responsible to provide communication through prompt and complete reporting to the Registered Nurse. 1. The LPN demonstrates the principles of therapeutic communication. The duties associated with this include, but are not limited to: a. The LPN maintains a positive, constructive working relationship with peers, supervisory and management personnel, as well as other interdisciplinary and supportive personnel at CSSH and outside facilities. b. The LPN responds to all communications orally, electronically and written, using a clear, concise, timely manner. Documents utilizing only facility approved abbreviations. c. The LPN practices as a team player by demonstrating the ability to give and receive constructive criticism while respecting the sensitivity/dignity of others. d. Possess basic computer skills. e. Maintains strict confidentiality of patient and hospital information. f. Interacts with patients/families. g. Writes/prints legibly. F. Assignment Completion 1. The duties associated with this include but are not limited to: a. Revies and initials the daily assignment sheet for work expectations for the shift and will seek clarification from the Charge RN. b. Organizes work to be done; sets priorities. c. Remains alert at all times. d. Completes assignments in accordance with CSSH and Nursing Department polices/procedures e. Reports issues to the Unit Charge Nurse. f. Participates in the nursing team effort by assisting coworkers. g. Reports to work as scheduled and follows CSSH/Nursing Department report off duty procedures. h. Must be able to work all units as assigned, exception to this is with administrative approval only. i. Accepts work/unit assignments as determined by nursing administration. G. Emergencies/Medical interventions/Use of Medical Equipment 1. The duties associated with this include but are not limited to: a. Responds to medical emergencies, announces a medical emergency via 2-way radio, takes appropriate actions for which specifically trained including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, foreign body airway obstruction management. b. Responds to disaster-emergencies, e.g., fires, earthquake, flood, hazardous materials incidents, utility interruptions or transportation accidents; follows basic emergency procedures as contained in CSSH policy/procedure. c. Uses equipment as per manufacturers recommendations; reports malfunctioning and/or inaudible alarm systems to the unit RN. d. Complies with CSSH Cord Con policy and procedures. H. Patients’ Rights 1. The duties associated with this include but are not limited to: a. Acts as a patient advocate b. Recognizes and protects the rights of adult and older adult patients c. Identifies and reports patient abuse allegations as per established policy and procedure. d. Maintains confidentiality of patient and hospital information e. Promotes a safe, clean, therapeutic environment for patients f. Treats all patients with respect and dignity. g. Commits no acts of patient abuse. I. Employee Conduct: a. Demonstrates ethical, professional, respectful conduct with coworkers/patients/visitors and staff. b. Abides by the Governor’s Code of Conduct and DHS Personnel Regulations, policies and procedures, and CSSH and Nursing Department policies and procedures. c. Employees are expected to be at their assigned clinical area, ready to work at the onset of their shift. d. Reports to the unit RN upon arrival for start of shift, signs in on the attendance record upon arrival and on departure from the unit at the end of the shift. e. Leaves the unit only for assigned breaks, meals and as directed. Must notify the unit RN upon departure and return to the unit. f. Adheres to scheduled work hours. g. Adheres to established procedures for reporting off work in accordance with policy and procedure. h. Has no unexcused instance of failure to contact the Registered Nurse Supervisor to notify of any absence. i. Establishes a record of prudent/sensible paid leave use which does not show evidence of any discernible pattern or documented instance of failure to comply with DHS #7173, Controlling Absenteeism, Time and Sick Leave Abuse j. Complies with leave/time request and Employee Self Service procedures. k. Participates in administrative and departmental investigations as required. l. Does not furnish contraband items to any patient and refrains from any monetary exchange with the patients. m. Cell phones are not to be used in patient areas. n. Adherence to the work apparel dress code policy. o. Commits no acts of insubordination. The duties listed above are not to be considered as all inclusive. Performs other related duties as assigned. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Makes independent decisions of a routine nature based upon training, job knowledge, scope of practice and competency. Communicates and collaborates with Prescribers, Registered Nurses, Nursing Supervision. Will escalate unusual and/or critical situation/information through directed notifications. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: 1. Must possess a current, active Pennsylvania license as a Practical Nurse. 2. CPR 3. Certification of the Commonwealth approved crisis prevention vendor. Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Practical Nurse 2. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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