Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for providing the highest quality nursing care to Oyate Health Center (OHC) patients.

Essential Functions and Professional Behavior Expectations:

• Obtains the initial screening history on patients being seen in the clinic; performs visual assessment, observation, and some physical assessment, observing and recognizing unusual or complex problems and making proper disposition.
• Maintains awareness of comfort and safety needs of the patient; explains procedures and treatments to the patient to gain cooperation, understanding, and allay apprehension.
• Aids medical provider during treatment and examination of patient when requested.
• Prepare patients for special laboratory tests, examinations, and treatments.
• Screen patients and assess health problems within the following categories: respiratory illness, abdominal, urological, musculoskeletal, and dermatological; assesses for chronic disease such as chronic back and shoulder pain, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, and hypertension, and, refers appropriately to the physician for further evaluation and care.
• Collects specimens and orders appropriate laboratory and x-ray studies as authorized by the medical provider.
• Records accurate, timely and appropriate information in the patient’s electronic health record; documents observations, nursing interventions, therapeutic measures administered and status of coordinated activities between nursing and other professional disciplines.
• Initiates a patient education plan according to the individualized needs of the patient, as prescribed by medical provider and/or OHC policy, including patient and family instruction; notifies patient of lab results and provides nursing advice to patients.
• Teaches patients about the nature of illness, treatment and general health measures.
• Documents phone conversations and advice given.
• Directs the work of ancillary personnel providing them with consultation and teaching. Recommends personnel actions, clinical requirements, needs for additional equipment and supplies and environmental improvements to the Supervisory Nurse.
• Assists with referrals and/or follow-up care based on results of laboratory and x-ray reports, and the mental health and well-being of the patient as recommended by the medical provider.
• Responds to life saving situations based upon nursing standards, policies, code procedures, and established protocol.
• Participates in and directs Quality Assurance activities such as GPRA, PI, IPC, nursing audits/peer review, discharge planning, and infection control.
• Attends and participates in nursing staff meetings and in-service education programs.
• Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Performs related duties.

Professional Behavior

• Effectively plan, organize workload and schedule time to meet the demands of the position.
• Work in a cooperative and professional manner with OHC and GPTCHB staff.
• Treat Great Plains tribes and collaborators with dignity and respect.
• Utilize effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Advance personal educational development by attending training sessions and seminars as appropriate.
• Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors and guests.
• Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness and respect.
• Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.
• Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personalities.
• Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality.
• Handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.
• Be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.
• Resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision if needed.
• Exercise flexibility to alter plans/routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.
• Promote an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free lifestyle.
• Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.
• Adhere to GPTLHB policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Participates in Core Connections training and applies GPTLHB Core Connections concepts and practices in their work.
• Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors and guests.
• Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness and respect.
• Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.
• Familiarity and/or experience working with American Indian populations and respect for and knowledge of traditional, cultural and spiritual practices of diverse American Indian communities, as well as an ability to work with other culturally and ethnically diverse populations.
• Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personalities.
• Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality.
• Must be able to handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.
• Must be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.
• Possess the ability to resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision.
• Able to exercise flexibility to alter plans/routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings, weekends and overnight or extended travel as necessary.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to community members, consumers and other employees of the organization.
• Proficiency with computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other Internet technologies.
• Valid driver’s license must be kept current, and certificates, credentials or licenses must be kept current and consistent with regulations required by applicable federal, state and/or grant regulations.
• Ability to promote an alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free lifestyle.
• Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.
• Adhere to GPTCHB policies and procedures.

Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations affecting areas of responsibility.
• Knowledge of professional nursing principles, practices, procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge and ability necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Knowledge of pharmaceuticals, their desired effects, side effects, and complication of their use, and steps to counteract adverse effects in order to properly administer and monitor patients using medications.
• Knowledge of medical history taking techniques, physical assessment and normal body function; disease process, signs, symptoms and treatment of acute minor illnesses; patho-physiology of inflammation, infection, allergic reactions, and such diseases as respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatological, urological, and musculoskeletal conditions, normal and abnormal vital signs, and normal and abnormal neurological signs and symptoms; signs and symptoms indicative of emergent or life threatening nature.
• Knowledge of normal ranges of laboratory values.
• Knowledge of diversity and cultural difference of Native American populations, and the ability to appreciate cultural differences and their effect on healthcare delivery.
• Knowledge of exposure control including blood borne pathogens and respiratory protection protocols.
• Knowledge and skills to recognize adverse signs and symptoms and to react swiftly in emergency situations. Knowledge and skills sufficient to provide CPR.
• Knowledge of communication techniques to establish rapport and facilitate cooperation and patient compliance in their care and through patient education.
• Knowledge and skills to participate in and assists with arrangement for referrals/follow-up care, Quality Assurance activities such as GPRA, PI, IPC, nursing audits/peer review, and infection control.
• Ability to identify, categorize, and perform clinical services to address each patient’s age-specific needs, i.e., infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, using tact and sensitivity.
• Skill in operating specialized medical equipment.
• Skill in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in the provision of customer service.
• Skill in use of job-related equipment and tools.
• Skill in use of personal computer and a variety of job-related software applications.

Supervisory Controls

The supervisor assigns work in terms of very general instructions. Work is reviewed through observation of interactions with OHC patients, and patient outcomes.

Guidelines

Guidelines include federal and state law, and GPTLHB, OHC, and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are clear and specific and require some judgment.

Complexity/Scope of Work

This position consists of clinical duties. The purpose of this position is to deliver the highest quality nursing services to OHC patients.

Successful performance helps ensure the overall effective and efficient Nursing Services and OHC resulting in improved patient outcomes.

Contacts

Contacts are typically with clinical providers, patients, employees, and the general public.

Contacts are typically to exchanging and provide factual medical information, provide patient care, and provide assistance.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work is typically performed standing or sitting. The work is typically performed in a clinic setting which requires normal safety precaution for infection control and environmental safety measures. The work environment is usually moderate.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and sit, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move light objects, and occasional lift heavier objects. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

None.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program and experience sufficient to understand the major duties of this position.
• Licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse by any US State or Territory.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required or must be obtained within ninety (90) days of employment.
• Must successfully pass a criminal and background check and a pre-employment drug screen.

The GPTLHB is a tribal organization which follows tribal preference laws. It is our policy to give preference to qualified Indian/Tribal candidates overqualified non-native candidates in hiring decisions if all other qualifications are equal.