Shift LPN (Burnsville, PT)

2. SUPPORT RESIDENT HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

A. Read and follow each resident’s CSSPA, protocols and plans.

B. At the beginning of each shift read and initial resident Health Progress Notes, Med Sheets and the Communication Log going back to your previous shift in order to be aware of residents’ current status and activities.

C. Administer injections, blood glucose tests, oxygen, catheters, wound care and other treatments that must be done by a nurse. Assist other RNs within the company in administering such treatments as requested by the Director of Nursing.

D. Make entries in Health Progress Notes, Med Sheets and the Communication Log as appropriate. Be thorough, complete, professional and legible in your documentation.

E. As a mandated reporter, inform appropriate professionals of Vulnerable Adult issues.

F. Provide guidance and assistance to residents in their personal hygiene and appearance in the areas of tooth brushing, bathing, toileting, perineal care, menstrual care, nail care, hair care including seeking/following guardian permission/direction with regarding to hair cuts and hair coloring, care and selection of clothing and dressing appropriately for weather conditions.

G. Oversee resident medical issues and alert supervisors and/or house nurse to medical issues and/or changes in resident health and/or problems relating to medication or medical equipment. Also, alert day program staff and guardian as requested.

H. Follow medical orders and directions from medical staff and supervisors concerning resident health issues, treatments and therapies and be attentive to details in those orders and directions.

I. Talk to medical personnel by phone regarding resident health issues.

J. Accompany residents to medical appointments and to Urgent Care and the Emergency Room as needed. Facilitate communication of information between resident and medical staff. Assist resident participation in medical exams.

K. When residents are hospitalized, advocate for them by informing hospital staff of resident medical history, preferences, fears and communication style; model respect for the resident and appropriate interaction style. Communicate guardian/conservator's written directions and preferences to hospital staff. Be flexible to accommodate the additional scheduling needs while the resident is hospitalized.

L. Administer topical, oral (by mouth or through feeding tube), ear, nasal, rectal and vaginal medication and any other treatment prescribed by medical personnel or required by supervisors and/or the house nurse, and train staff in proper administration.

M. Check the vital signs of each resident including blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration; the frequency of these checks will be determined by the needs of each resident as assessed by the resident’s team and the Director of Nursing. During this assessment you should review Health Progress Notes and follow up on any issues discussed therein.

N. Provide staff training in procedures such as replacing G-tubes, administering nebulizer treatments, and other medical procedures as needed. (RNs only)

O. Assist as needed or requested with the initial and ongoing training of staff in medication administration and other pertinent medical issues.

P. When a new medication is ordered, verify the correct dosage, assign times it is to be given, and call in the new order to a pharmacy if requested to do so. When such a new medication order is received by telephone, send Telephone Order Forms to the attending physician for signature and ensure that they are returned and filed in a timely manner. Also, order medication refills as needed or requested and pick them up from the pharmacy when necessary.

Q. Assist residents in and out of the bath tub, the van, furniture and in other situations as needed. This may involve awkward, heavy lifting. Use a mechanical lift or other lifting mechanisms for moving residents who require them.

R. For those residents who require it, reposition them often, ideally every 45 minutes and at a minimum every 2 hours; this may involve lifting a resident and/or using a Hoyer Lift or other lifting mechanism.

S. Keep thorough and legible professional documentation of medical issues.

T. Maintain records and documentation relating to resident finances and seek out receipts for all purchases and deposits made on behalf of residents.