Licensed Practical Nurse

VISION, MISSION & VALUES:
Every employee of Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation is expected to uphold our vision, mission and values. Our actions will reflect our values of compassion, diversity, integrity, excellence and teamwork creating a culture in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. This will result in our vision of People achieving their highest quality of life through the fulfillment of our mission to lead individuals and communities to their highest quality of life by providing a coordinated network of health and supportive services.

CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPLIANCE STATEMENT:
Treat every person with dignity, respect and kindness by listening with your full attention, address questions/concerns immediately, and accept responsibility to follow through by always doing what you say you will do. You support our customers, and your team, by being patient, understanding and positive, knowing that you are SIHF to those we serve.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The LPN functions under the supervision and guidance of the Nursing Supervisor or Provider and participates in the multi-disciplinary process of providing care and treatment to patients. The LPN reports directly to the site manager. The LPN is responsible for functioning within the scope of practice dictated by the authority of the Illinois Board of Nursing. Individuals must be able to manage a demanding workload with accuracy. The position requires excellent customer service skills with patients, their families, other staff and providers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist the provider with patient office visits including rooming patients, interviewing patients, recording vital signs. Perform point of care testing and Quality Controls including but not limited to; urinalysis, pregnancy test, blood glucose monitoring, HgA1c, Hematocrit. Documents findings into the patient’s electronic chart.

2. Obtain and check for informed consent from patient, parents, or guardians. Provide clear explanations and encouragement as necessary.

3. It is the LPN’s duty to check for the presence of allergies and reconcile medications. The LPN also administers and documents medication under physician’s order and follows the 6 medication rights in order to reduce the potential for medical errors. Contact pharmacies for routine medication renewal per standing, written, or verbal orders. Communicate with outside resources to assist patients with medications and to self-educate about new medications for teaching purposes.

4. May schedule appointments for immediate patient needs, track hospital admission and discharges and give appointments from hospital discharges. LPN must insure correct documentation exists. Follow up on patients who did not keep their appointments, diagnostic testing or lab appointments or follow through on referrals. Contact patients or their families if laboratory findings are abnormal and also mail out letters regarding lab work. The LPN may be responsible for implementing and maintaining accurate records of patient referrals and updating the referral log as needed. Keep accurate log books including but not limited to CLIA, samples, vaccines, and inpatient tracking.

5. May answer phone and relay patient’s condition as well as providing messages to providers. LPN should have the ability to manage a patient call and collect the data and relay to the RN or provider to ascertain if the patient needs an office visit or if it is an emergent scenario that needs an ER recommendation. Fields patient’s phone calls (patient cases). Calls may be referred to the RN Supervisor and/or Provider.

6. May obtain prior authorizations from insurance companies for medication and other services ordered provider direction.

7. LPN will understand the importance of Quality measure guidelines. LPN should take the initiative to have the patient fill out an ROI to obtain any pertinent medical records. LPN should also communicate to provider if patient needs to satisfy a measure.

8. LPN should have basic knowledge of adult and children immunization schedules and be able schedule and give age appropriate immunizations. LPN should be able to provide education regarding risks and benefits of immunizations. LPN must understand and follow policy regarding storage and handling of all vaccines.

9. The LPN will work their assigned clinical inbox daily and remain within the assigned threshold parameters.

10. LPN may be responsible for training new hires/students.

11. Initiate referrals to community agencies as directed by health care provider. Offer patient resources to assist with daily needs, shelter, food, transportation, medical education.

12. Assist other nursing staff with organizing and stocking supplies and medications. Contribute to the orderliness and cleanliness of the patients’ and staffs’ environment in joint responsibility with the rest of the staff. Demonstrates appropriate use of Red Bag waste and follows proper sharps procedures. Demonstrates appropriate hand washing technique to insure proper infection control and follows universal precautions. Sterilizes, packages, and autoclaves instruments, using proper sterilization protocols.

13. Function within the legal and ethical parameters of nursing care and the policies of SIHF. Ensures that all patient information is protected according to HIPPA guidelines.

14. Seek opportunities to attend continuing education programs and report to nursing staff on new or updated information obtained through attendance.

15. Identify problem areas with supervisor, and seek ways to improve the quality of patient care and nursing time management, and implement a plan of action to bring about change.

16. Approach each situation with a positive attitude and treat every patient you meet with dignity and respect. Establish effective working relationships with members of the interdisciplinary treatment team.

17. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

1. Ability to work with the public and health care professionals.

2. Communicate clearly and be able to respond to verbal questions and concerns from patients/guardians.

3. Possess knowledge of medical terminology and be able to understand and communicate within a professional context

4. Possess sound judgment and ability to perceive problems and take necessary steps to correct situation.

5. Basic operational knowledge of a computer.

6. Must be results oriented and a team player.

7. Must be neat and professional in appearance.

8. Must have the ability to multitask.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Must be a graduate of an accredited program for LPN and hold a current license to practice in the State of Illinois. Must have current CPR certification. Ambulatory care experience preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of a clinical nature. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

WORK SCHEDULE
Normal work hours for this position are Monday through Friday dayshift, unless otherwise specified by management staff.

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT:
Abide by the requirements of all applicable State and Federal laws.

MEDICAL HOME STATEMENT:
Be aware and understand expectations and responsibilities of the Patient Centered Medical Home. Understand role, complete relevant duties, and the requirement to maintain highest level of proficiency within scope, as part of this team-based approach in the patient care continuum.