LPN - RESOURCE/PRN (NIGHTS)

Mary Free Bed Summary

We have the great privilege of helping patients and families re-build their lives. It’s extraordinarily meaningful work and the reason we greet the day with optimism and anticipation. When patients “Ask for Mary,” they experience a culture that has been sculpted for more than a century. Our hallmark is to carefully listen to patients and innovatively serve them. This is true of every employee, from support staff and leadership, to clinicians and care providers.   

Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited rehabilitation hospital serving thousands of children and adults each year through inpatient, outpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics and home and community programs. With the most comprehensive rehabilitation services in Michigan and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, Mary Free Bed physicians, nurses and therapists help our patients achieve outstanding clinical outcomes. The growing Mary Free Bed Network provides patients throughout the state with access to our unique standard of care 

Mission Statement 

Restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation. 

Employment Value Proposition 

At Mary Free Bed, we take pride in our values-based culture: 

• Focus on Patient Care.  A selfless drive to serve and heal connects all MFB employees. 

• Clinical Variety and Challenge. An inter-disciplinary approach and a top team of professionals create ever-changing opportunities and activities. 

• Family Culture.  We offer the stability of a large organization while nurturing the family/team atmosphere of a small organization. 

• Trust in Each Other.  Each employee knows that co-workers can be trusted to make the right decision for our family, patients, staff, and community. 

• A Proud Tradition. Years of dedicated, quality service to our patients and community have yielded a reputation that fills our employees with pride.   

Age Specific Responsibility 

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned department.  Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies and procedures. 

Summary 

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) provide important patient care within the Nursing Department.  Under the direction of the registered nurse assigned to each patient, and as delegated to by the RN, the LPN assists with patient care and other department activities as outlined in this job description, and communicates effectively with the RN responsible for each patient.  Work performed by each LPN must support the mission, vision, and values of Mary Free Bed. 

Essential Job Responsibilities 

Quality Pillar of Excellence  

Patient Care – The LPN provides direct patient care, as delegated by the patient’s RN and in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.  Patient care performed by a LPN includes, but is not limited to, the following:  

Collects, monitors, and reports physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual needs of the patient and family as directed by and in coordination with the patient’s assigned RN.  

Administers medications (with the exception of IV administration) as ordered by the physician and as delegated by the RN.  

Provides input to the RN into an individualized plan of care for each patient.  

Reinforces patient and family education and documents as such on the patient plan of care.  

Obtains and records vital signs using appropriate equipment and technique.  

Provides direct patient care including bowel programs, patient hygiene, recording intake and outpatient, and other responsibilities as outlined in department policies.  

Answers call lights in a timely, respectful manner  

Documents care via computer/written patient record according to department policies, including content and timeliness of documentation.    

Transports patients in a safe and timely manner to facilitate patient diagnostic testing and therapy sessions, as needed.  Communicates with other team members in order to ensure continuity of care and coordination of services.  

Maintains the patient’s living environment in a clean, safe manner  

Cleans patient areas, work areas, and equipment, as needed.  Communicates any equipment malfunctions to the Central Supply Department or Nursing Supervisor, and removes equipment from patient care in accordance with department policies.  

Assists with collection of quality data, as assigned by the RN or management   

Demonstrates appropriate use of all patient care equipment, in accordance with departmental policies.  

Communication – Each staff member in the Nursing Department is responsible to communicate in a timely, professional and respectful manner at all times.   Responsibilities of the LPN include, but are not limited to:  

Patients and their families or visitors are treated with kindness and respect.  

Customers, physicians, and other staff members are treated with kindness and respect.  

Maintains effective working relationships with employees throughout the organization.  

Treats patient call lights as a primary communication method between the patient and the caregiver, and promptly responds to call lights, in person, as soon as possible.  

Delivers care in a manner that is culturally sensitive and preserves the dignity and rights of each patient.  Deals discreetly and sensitively with confidential information, and follows all hospital policies related to protected health information.  

Service Pillar of Excellence  

Customer Service – Each LPN is required to demonstrate excellent customer service standards and behaviors in all interactions with colleagues, patients, family members, physicians, and other customers.  This employee is responsible to understand how patient satisfaction is measured within the nursing department, the expectations related to customer service, and the action plans that are in place to improve the satisfaction of MFB customers.  

People Pillar of Excellence  

Employee communication – The LPN employee understands that communication with hospital and department leadership occurs in many ways, and that it is the responsibility of each employee to be aware of policy and practice changes.  This information is shared through various methods such as administrative bulletins, staff meetings, bulletin board postings, email, department newsletters, individual discussions, and on the MFB intranet (InsideMFB).  

Employee training and competency assessments – Each LPN is responsible to complete a competency based orientation at the time of hire, and all required training and competency assessments annually, prior to the posted deadlines.  Questions about required education and competency modules should be addressed to the nurse educators or nursing supervisors to ensure that the requirements are completed prior to the deadlines.    

Performance evaluations –Each LPN will meet with a nursing supervisor to complete an annual performance evaluation prior to the department or organizational deadline.  The employee will provide input to the supervisor when reviewing goals and performance from the completed review period.  The employee will work with the supervisor to review organizational and departmental action plans, and to identify personal goals for the upcoming review period.  As a preceptor, each LPN will collaborate with the assigned RN, Nursing Supervisor and Nurse Educator to provide a thorough and accurate orientation for the new team member.     

Safety policies – Each employee is responsible to demonstrate knowledge of and performance in accordance with hospital and department safety and infection control policies and procedures.  Each employee maintains a safe and clean working environment for the benefit of patients and staff.    

Financial Performance Pillar of Excellence  

Fiscal Responsibility – Each LPN documents patient chargeable items according to department policies.  Avoids duplication and waste of supplies. Arrives to work on time and works throughout the shift, unless taking a designated break.  If the LPN does not have work to do, asks a RN or a nursing supervisor for work to avoid downtime.  Avoids overtime, and if overtime is expected, communicates this in advance with the nursing supervisor so that alternatives can be explored.  

Other 

• We’ll embrace all people by: 

• Treating everyone with dignity and respect. 

• Opening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed. 

• Growing talent and people. 

• Ensuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.  

• Taking action against discrimination. 

• Honoring our differences and how we collaborate. 

• Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for. 

• Restoring hope and freedom, together. 

The LPN is also responsible for other department and patient-related tasks, as assigned, and in alignment with departmental policies and procedures.  This employee is expected to perform assignments as directed by management, and provides input on new services or revisions to new/existing policies and procedures as appropriate.  

Limitations:  A Licensed Practical Nurse:  

• May not delegate responsibilities to another LPN or to a non-licensed employee.  

• May not take verbal or telephone orders from a physician.  

• May not change tracheostomy tubes or insert nasogastric tubes  

• May not change dressings, irrigate, flush, or discontinue central lines or access portacaths  

• May not do peritoneal dialysis  

Customer Service Responsibilities 

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information. 

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement 

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service. 

Essential Job Qualifications 

• ​​Licensure Requirements: Active Michigan license as a Licensed Practical Nurse​ 

• Education:  Graduate of an approved practical nursing program.  Successful completion of an accredited pharmacology course, NAPNES preferred. 

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 

• Must be competent with computer systems for the purpose of documenting patient care. 

• Must be able to work effectively under time requirements and deadlines, problem-solve when facing unexpected issues, handle interruptions, and prioritize effectively. 

• Experience:  None required.  Previous experience as a LPN in a rehabilitation setting is preferred.