Class Code: 06232
LICENSED PRACTICAL
NURSE
NATURE OF WORK
This is licensed
practical nursing work in a County health facility or health program.
Duties
include examination, treatment, and care of patients in a County health clinic,
residential center, nursing home, or County health program. Work is performed in accordance with established general nursing
standards and state and federal rules and regulations, and established County
and Division policies and procedures.
Judgment and
initiative are required in attending to patients' needs and administering
prescribed medications and treatments.
Work is reviewed by a professional superior through observation, conferences, analysis
of patient’s records, and satisfactory fulfillment of patient needs.
ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS
(May vary slightly based on area of assignment.
Presented in no particular order).
Administers
medications to patients as prescribed by a physician.
Assesses
and appropriately responds to client or patient medical emergencies.
Communicates effectively
orally and in writing.
Depending
upon area of assignment, answers calls and provides nursing care for patients
requiring aid; calls doctor, ambulance, hospital or Sheriff's department as
necessary; receives visitors and routes them to proper locations.
Enters nursing
notes, treatment notes, and other related information in patient medical
records or other files which may involve entering data to an agency
computer-based application.
Files patient charts
and prepares periodic reports.
Follows
orders of physicians or other health care providers, documenting activities in
the medical record.
May
assist patients to walk about the unit, as permitted, or transports patients by
wheelchair.
May
assist with admissions and discharge/transfer procedures.
May assist with
implementation of treatment or service plans.
May assist with
linking clients or patients with appropriate resources in the community.
May assist with
maintaining the inventory of drugs and medical supplies.
May
bathe, dress, and undress patients and assist with personal hygiene to increase
patient comfort and well-being.
May
check rooms for drinking water, heat, and ventilation; recommend additional bed
covering and/or removal of smoking or other restricted materials as necessary.
May initiate health
education on specific conditions.
May make visits to
patients in nursing homes or other venues.
May set up
equipment; assist physicians conducting examinations and obtain specimens.
May take medical
history information.
Observes,
evaluates, monitors and reports client health status.
Prepares reports and
documents using basic computer-based office software.
Renders practical
nursing and health services to patients in a County health clinic, health
facility, or health program.
Takes
and records vital signs.
Performs
related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
(May vary slightly by area of assignment. Presented
in no particular order).
Some
knowledge of administering prescribed routine medications and treatments.
Some knowledge of
clinical and institutional sanitation and personal hygiene.
Some
knowledge of general medications and/or specialized medications required for the
area of assignment.
Some
knowledge of infection control practices and procedures.
Some knowledge of
nursing practices specific to the area of assignment.
Some
knowledge of public health laws, JCAHO standards, federal confidentiality laws
(42CFR, 45CFR), and state regulations (65D-30) and others as required for the
area of assignment.
Some
knowledge of sanitation and personal hygiene.
Some knowledge of
the functions of community health and social services agencies.
Some knowledge of
the prevention of a variety of communicable diseases and health problems.
Some knowledge of
the principles, practices and techniques of practical nursing.
Some
knowledge of the routine care and treatment of patients and special procedures
that apply to health services and nursing activities.
Ability to use a
personal computer.
Ability
to understand special physical and emotional problems of special populations,
e.g., elderly patients institutionalized for long periods of time, etc.
Ability to
understand and interpret public health laws and regulations.
Ability to
understand and carry out detailed instructions of a technical and professional
nature.
Ability to recognize
and identify health symptoms.
Ability
to perform licensed practical nursing duties.
Ability
to make technical and visual observations of patients.
Ability to establish
and maintain a variety of clinical records and prepare required reports.
Ability
to effectively work in an inter-disciplinary team.
Ability to effectively
instruct clients and patients in health services procedures and techniques.
Ability
to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full
accord with the letter and spirit of
Ability
to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general
public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse
cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, ethnicity,
religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or
political affiliation.
Skill in basic word
processing and computer data entry.
Skill in the use and
application of medical instruments and equipment.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Graduation
from an accredited practical nursing program; six (6) months of experience as a
licensed practical nurse or one (1) year of experience in general health care
and/or nursing activities; or any equivalent combination of relevant training
and experience.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
Licensed as a
practical nurse by the State of
GENERAL INFORMATION
Bargaining
Unit: White Collar
FLSA
Status: Non-exempt
Code of Ethics Certification: No
Class
Spec Estab./Revised: E12/77; R01/91; R02/05; R06/05