Facility: Cherokee Health Park

Job Summary:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions under the direction of the Physician, Nurse Supervisor and/or Practice/Office Manager. Recognizes patient's needs and symptoms in advance. Provides care for the patient under the physician's direction. Includes preparing patient for exams, assisting during treatments, coordinating tests and follow-up care, and recording treatment in medical record. Assists with patient and family education. Demonstrates competency and skills to serve patients of all ages including neonate, infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Performs other duties, as necessary.
It is expected that all LPNs are licensed, knowledgeable and uphold the practice of nursing as outlined by the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act and implement the Nursing Practice Standards and Code for the Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses put forth by the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc. (NFLPN). As a member of the patient services team, it is expected that the individual upholds the voice of the patient, system policies and procedures, while supporting service excellence goals.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Professional Practice and Responsibility
* Exemplary Practice and Outcomes
* Practices within the scope and in accordance with Nursing Practice Standards and Code for the Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses put forth by the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc. (NFLPN).
* Promotes health promotion in the performance of clinical care using evidence-based practice, uses analytical/critical thinking and ensuring that care is individualized; coordinating care through effective partnerships recognizing that caring is central to achieve optimal patient care outcomes.
* Practices using current clinical practice standards.
* Teamwork and Collaboration
* Coordinates the delivery and documentation of safe quality patient care that promotes the professional care delivery model. This includes but is not limited to diverse and inclusive interdisciplinary communication methods (interdisciplinary rounds, case review, etc.), completion of timely documentation and promotion of a respectful, inclusive clinical environment.
* Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration by practicing in a manner that is fiscally responsible and promotes the recruitment and retention of all healthcare team members.
* Professional Development and Initiative
* Completes all initial and ongoing professional competency assessments, required mandatory education, and licensure requirements.
* Serves as a preceptor and/or or mentor for other practical nurses (and unlicensed staff or students) to ensure that there is a current and future qualified workforce, modeling the professional practice of nursing and creating a healthy work environment.
* May delegate tasks to unlicensed staff, as appropriate and within their scope of practice.
* Evidence Based Practice and Research
* Promotes Evidence based practice, nursing research and performance improvement in nursing. Participates in shared decision-making groups and committees as able.
* Upholds all health care system/organizational policies and procedures and clinical competencies put forth by this job description and professional association including legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements and standards ensuring by way of example, such goals as TJC Patient Safety Goals and WellStar Health Systems safety absolutes.
* Participates in data collection and poses relevant clinical questions to advance evidence-based practice. Consults appropriate experts and uses appropriate resources and evidence to address practice questions.
Practice Operations
* Provide direct patient care as directed by provider.
* Proactively plans for the care of patients across the care continuum via pre-visit planning processes.
* Contributes to financial viability through service quality and clinical excellence.
* May serve as liaison with nursing leadership as it relates to clinical operations and quality initiatives.
Patient Liaison and Advocate
* Provides relationship-based patient centered care that is consistent with population specific characteristics (e.g., age, gender, disease, etc.) in a culturally sensitive manner.
* Always partners with the patient, significant others and/or family (as appropriate) to promote a comfortable and safe environment for the delivery of care, making the patients goals the focus of the plan of care.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

Graduate from a practical or vocational nursing program.
Required

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Lic Practical Nurse
• Basic Life Support or BLS - Instructor

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):

Current/active license as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Georgia.
Must have a current BLS card from the American Heart Association prior to hire date.
ACLS/PALS may be required in some practice areas.

Required Minimum Experience:

Previous healthcare experience Preferred and
Experience in ambulatory, outpatient setting Preferred and
In some cases, hospital-based experience may substitute Required and
Specific experience in practice specialty Required