Clinic LPN/Licensed Practical Nurse

Overview

In 2020 united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care including 11 hospitals and nearly 5000 physicians and providers. Together we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

Responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

This job is responsible, under the direction of a Registered Nurse or other Healthcare Provider, for providing quality practical nursing care to clinic patients consistent with the scope of LPN licensure and Franciscan Medical Group (FMG) Scope of Practice Policy. An incumbent assists providers with patient clinic visits, carrying out routine aspects of designated nursing protocols and provides clinical support and related assistance to professional medical staff. Work also includes participating in patient care planning, assisting with and/or performing therapeutic/diagnostic procedures/tests, reporting nursing observations/assessments and updating information in the patient's electronic medical record.

An employee uses initiative in carrying out recurring tasks independently within scope of practice and established standards of care. An RN or Provider provides specific instructions for new or more complex tasks and is consulted when unusual/unfamiliar situations are encountered.

Work involves effectively managing a demanding workload and requires excellent customer service skills with patients/families, multi-disciplinary team members, practitioners and the public.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Prepares patients for practitioner visit; rooms patients, obtains and records vital signs and other appropriate information, such as height, weight, drug allergies, current medications and presenting problem; chaperones and documents the patient exam, ensuring patient privacy and comfort.

• Collects patient information through telephone and in-person contact; screens, communicates and responds to patient needs appropriately.

• Provide patient mobility assistance, as necessary.

• Manages patient flow ensuring enough time for patient and family education.

Performs, or assists with, patient care, diagnostic tests and clinical procedures to appropriate level of training/scope of licensure and established procedures; follows triage standing orders/protocols for routine nursing situations and refers complex, urgent or emergent situations to an RN or provider.

• Instructs patients in the collection of samples and other tests; ensures that patient or family understands follow-up and referral information.

• Under supervision of the practitioner, informs patients of lab results, calls in prescriptions to pharmacies and returns practitioners' phone messages.

• Performs a variety of patient assessment/care tests (e.g. EKG, Spirometry, vision/hearing screening, peak flow, color blindness, etc) in accordance with established protocols.

• Performs simple wound care and dressing changes under direct supervision of RN or provider; removes sutures or staples after wound assessment by RN/Provider.

• Inserts and/or removes tubes, drains, urinary catheters; applies simple splints/braces.

• Assists RN or provider in complex nursing care situations.

Assists with point of care testing (CLIA-Waived Tests only)/lab tests following established protocols/instructions.

• Obtains samples for point of care tests including swabs and urine/stool; performs venipuncture to obtain venous blood samples.

• Performs POCT testing, following package insert instructions, and documents results (e.g. urinalysis, flu, RSV, Homoccult, Mono, H. Pylori, Hemoglobin, etc).

• Documents daily ambient, refrigerator/freezer temperatures and humidity levels for medication storage; follows established protocols if variation from standard range.

Administers patient medications per written provider order; tracks and logs medication usage per established policies; inventories counts of controlled substances.

• Under supervision of practitioner or nurse supervisor, administer approved medications (e.g. legend drugs, vaccines and schedule III-V controlled substances) via oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular or intradermal routes; administers IV fluids under the supervision of RN/Provider; performs installation of fluids or medications into bladder via catheter.

• Administers drops, topical ointments/pastes/creams and/or nebulizer treatments.

Documents procedures and interactions in patient's medical record in accordance with established procedures; enters, pends and signs orders as appropriate.

• Responds to patient telephone calls using approved protocols, ensuring documentation of phone call meets standards.

• Takes verbal orders from a provider in regard to urgent and/or emergent (not routine/non-complex care) patient safety issues; assures orders are signed off in accordance with established procedures.

• Processes and documents patient prescription refills.

Organizes exam rooms, including general cleaning, upkeep and re-stocking of supplies; prepares, cleans and sterilize instruments and maintains related equipment.

• Anticipates Practitioner's needs for available medications, supplies and equipment for patient exams.

• Sets up proper equipment for specific clinic-based procedures.

• Cleans, leak tests and disinfects endoscopes and endocavity probes according to manufacturer's directions; wraps, cleans and autoclaves instruments.

• Disposes of contaminated items according to Franciscan Medical Group Exposure Control Plan.

Qualifications

Education/Work Experience Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of practical nursing approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing. One year of LPN work experience in a clinic setting OR two years of acute care LPN work experience preferred.

Job Knowledge/Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, protocols, and medical supplies/equipment relating to the provision of practical nursing care within LPN Scope of practice.

• Knowledge of examination, diagnostic and treatment room procedures and practice applicable to delivering and evaluating patient care in an outpatient environment.

• Knowledge of the meaning and use of medical terminology and abbreviations sufficient to perform the duties of the position.

• Knowledge of safety/infection control standards, blood borne pathogen regulations and risk management standards applicable to outpatient facilities.

• Knowledge of pharmacology sufficient to assure proper administration of medications, desired action, dosage and adversities.

• Knowledge of the functionality, application .