LVN Visiting Nurse

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, the Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse provides skilled nursing care for assigned patients. He/she works cooperatively with the other members of the Interdisciplinary Team. The LVN provides intermittent visits or shifts of skilled nursing care, performs prescribed medical treatments, including pain management and symptom control, provides nursing observations, provides teaching regarding the expected course of the disease, care techniques and other health measures to the patient, family or other primary care giver, provides counseling and supportive care to the patient and family, and participates in the care plan development and implementation.

REPORTS TO: Registered Nurse
SUPERVISES: None

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Graduate of an accredited school of vocational/practical nursing.
Credentials: Current license within the State.
Experience: At least one year experience as a LVN/LPN .
Core Competencies: Ability to safely and effectively perform procedures and techniques involved in the delivery of patient care. Ability to follow a patient and family teaching plan. Ability to function as a member of the nursing team and cooperate with non-nursing professionals in the process of rendering nursing care. Ability to identify potentially harmful changes inpatient condition and report these changes timely, verbally and in writing. Ability to plan a personal work schedule and work independently to complete the assignment on a timely basis. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
Other: Valid driver's license and auto insurance.

FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Performs skilled observation of patient condition, mental, social and emotional status on each visit.
2. Demonstrates capacity to describe findings of the complete patient inventory which accurately reflects patient condition.
3. Identifies potentially harmful changes in patient condition and reports to the clinical supervisor and/or MD as required.
4. Contributes to the formulation and update of the nursing care plan.
5. Under the direction of a registered nurse or supervisor, follows patient's nursing care plan and Plan of Treatment prescribed by the physician.
6. Provides patient and family with complete and accurate teaching so that change in patient and patient caregiver behavior is observable.
7. Administers personal, hygienic, and therapeutic measures for patients.
8. Administers prescribed medications and treatments safely and effectively as prescribed.
9. Records, and reports to the supervisor on the general physical and mental condition of the patient.
10. Assists the physician and/or registered nurse in performing specialized procedures.
11. Observes universal precautions. Prepares equipment for treatments, including sterilization and observation of aseptic technique.
12. Assists the patient with activities of dialing living and encourages appropriate self-care.
13. Performs complete bedside nursing when required.
14. Makes regular entries in communication logs.
15. Takes emergency measures to preserve patient life and limb when necessary.
16. Provides accurate and timely information on patient progression in the care plan.
17. Reports any changes inpatient visit schedule to the offices of the DPCS.
18. Completes all required documentation accurately and timely.
19. Delivers all the required documentation to the offices of the Agency on the designated submission days of the week.
20. Adjusts self to diversified personalities, and uses tact and judgment in dealing with patients.
21. Assists the Clinical Supervisor and/or RN Team Leader to optimize schedules and routings for quality of care and containment of agency costs.
22. Attends in-service presentations.
23. Participates in Agency Quality Improvement Program.
24. Attends weekly Team case conference to complete monthly patient case conferences as required.
25. All other tasks and duties deemed necessary and appropriate.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Evidence of good physical and mental health.
2. Able to lift 40 lbs. from floor to waist and waist to shoulder.
3. Able to lift 25 lbs. from shoulder to overhead.
4. Able to push/pull 59 lbs.
5. Frequently required to assist with transferring of patients up to 150 lbs.
6. Frequent bending.
7. Repetitive standing, walking and use of hands.
8. Average hearing/vision.
9. Phone communication ability.
10. Able to drive a car 2 to 4 hours a day.

Service Area: Pima County/Tucson