Overview:
LPN, 4 Surgical Inpatient Unit
Allen Hospital, Waterloo, IA
28-bed unit caring for pre- and post-operative surgical patients.
Nurses are trained to read telemetry strips and take care of cardiac drips such as Amiodarone, Cardizem, Lasix, Insulin, etc.
We have state-of-the-art bedside monitors in every patient room to facilitate the care of the patients.
Join our NEW model of care!
UnityPoint Health is embarking on an exciting and innovative care delivery model.
Our new Collaborative Care Model (CCM) enables all members of the multidisciplinary care team to practice at the top of their scope – leveraging your unique skills, training, and strengths.
As an LPN in this care model, you will provide care for a specified group of patients, utilizing all the skills you have gained in obtaining your license.
With the support of an RN and other team members of the care group, you will perform tasks or skills within your scope of practice, including but not limited to:
Provide safe and reliable patient centered care with support and supervision of an RN.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members.
Manage care with ongoing assessments and vitals.
Administer medications as ordered by the provider.
Provide evidenced-based patient education starting at admission.
Document daily progress toward care plan goals.
Complete bedside procedures (e.
g.
, foley, NG, dressing changes, drains, etc.
).
Provide discharge education and review instructions with patient and/or caregivers.
Document in the electronic medical record
Responsibilities:
Collaborates with healthcare team to provide patient care.
Consults with supervisory RN and/or other healthcare team members, as appropriate.
Obtains instruction and supervision, as necessary, when implementing new or unfamiliar nursing practices or techniques.
Contributes to the admission assessment process by collecting, reporting and recording objective and subjective data in an accurate and timely manner, within scope of practice.
(The initial assessment must be performed by the RN.
)
Assists in the identification of and supports a multidisciplinary approach to determine appropriate patient care interventions to maintain comfort, support human functions and responses and maintain an environment conducive to safety and well-being.
Assists the healthcare team to achieve the patient care outcomes and goals of care.
Administers medications and performs tasks within scope of practice.
Collaborates with the patient/family to anticipate steps needed to ensure safe transitions in care.
Informs supervisory RN of any changes in patient condition in a timely manner.
Collaborates with the RN and other healthcare team members to communicate progress towards agreed upon goals of care.
Assists in updating the plan and goals of care to reflect changes in needs, under the direction of the supervisory RN.
Multidisciplinary patient charting is completed in real-time to assure that goals of care and patient outcomes are being achieved.
Completes hand-offs with attention to detail and with safety as a priority.
Communicates with providers during routine rounding and on an as needed basis.
Integrates patient/family teaching throughout the hospitalization, including the overview of the plan and goals of care, pre- and post-operative procedures, diagnostic procedures and discharge teaching.
Integrates preventative health maintenance into the education plan.
Assesses and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient’s and their families’ age specific needs, culture, readiness to learn and level of comprehension.
Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education, as applicable.
Qualifications:
Completed an accredited LPN program.
Previous CNA/PCT experience preferred.
Possess current LPN licensure in the State of Iowa or compact state.
Writes, reads, speaks, and comprehends fluent English.
Demonstrates proficiency in the manual skills and techniques required to perform basic nursing procedures and the operation of specialized equipment.
Ability to successfully complete a basic computer course on the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) through in-hospital training.
Shall have knowledge and understanding of the laws governing licensure and function within the legal boundaries of their discipline.
Complies with established department routines, policies and procedures.
Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills with patients, families, healthcare team members and other customers.
Demonstrates real-time EMR documentation in accordance with hospital and unit policies.
Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.