Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for providing nursing services and care coordination to individuals receiving services in Medical Respite Program, Canal Pointe, and the Community Living Services Program. The LPN works under the direction of the Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing to provide quality and compassionate healthcare, support recovery and rehabilitation, coordinate medical services, and ensure compliance with agency policies and regulatory requirements. The LPN collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to promote positive health outcomes while practicing within the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with the completion and maintenance of all required documentation, including nursing assessments, care plans, health summaries, intakes, investigations, and other required clinical documentation, ensuring accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and compliance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.
• Provide direct nursing care and support in accordance with the needs, policies, and requirements of each assigned program.
• Provide individualized health education to individuals and caregivers regarding medical conditions, medications, treatment plans, preventative care, chronic disease management, recovery, rehabilitation, and healthy lifestyle practices as needed.
• Monitor patient health by tracking symptoms, observing any changes in condition, and promptly reporting these to the RN or physician.
• Review medical records, medical evaluations, laboratory results, physician orders, physician notes, discharge summaries, and hospital documentation, communicating recommendations and changes to the RN and interdisciplinary team.
• Communicate with physicians to provide complete and accurate updates on patients’ current health status and medical histories.
• Respond to staff calls regarding incidents, address medical emergencies, and provide first aid or life-saving interventions when necessary.
• Review, update, and reconcile medication records promptly when changes occur.
• Collaborate with case managers, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless patient care, including discharge planning and follow-up.
• Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, program policies, and nursing best practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Provide 24-hour on-call service as needed.
• Travel between assigned program locations as needed to provide nursing services and support.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Non-essential)

• Adhere to the designated dress code as stipulated for the specific role.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

• None

KEY CONTACTS

Maintains critical relationships with the following:

• Maintains relationships with medical providers’ physicals, labs, etc. 
• Maintains relationships with the dietitian
• Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

This position requires knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent to:

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program
• Licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) by the State of Louisiana
• Minimum of 2 years of nursing experience required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Physical requirements include sitting, standing, climbing, pushing, bending, squatting, lifting, and pulling. May be required to assist in moving consumers weighing up to 200lbs. Other physical requirements include:

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary. 
• Move and lift light objects up to 30 pounds such as mail, supplies, files, and equipment.
• Operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.