Licensed Practical Nurse - General Surgery

This position provides direct and indirect patient care services for general surgery patients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. You will deliver care that meets the psychosocial, physical, and general aspects of patient needs while maintaining regulatory compliance and hospital standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care services meeting psychosocial, physical, and general care needs
• Perform head-to-toe assessments on all patients and reassessments as per policy, including pediatric, geriatric, and general populations, under direct RN supervision
• Assess and reassess patient pain; utilize appropriate pain management techniques and educate patients and families regarding pain management
• Demonstrate knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on patient age and clinical condition
• Follow the five medication rights to reduce potential for medication errors
• Revise plan of care as indicated by patient response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness
• Formulate teaching plans based on identified patient learning needs and evaluate learning effectiveness; include family in teaching as appropriate
• Assist physicians with procedures and perform services requiring technical and manual skills under RN direction
• Treat patients and families with respect and dignity; identify and address psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs
• Interact professionally with patients and families and involve them in formation of the plan of care
• Identify and address psychosocial needs; communicate with Social Services/Case Management regarding in-hospital and post-discharge needs
• Demonstrate knowledge of growth and development principles across the life span and provide age-appropriate care
• Consult other departments as appropriate to provide interdisciplinary approach to patient needs
• Maintain positive working relationships within and across departments
• Perform other duties as assigned within LPN scope of practice
• Maintain required core competencies and comply with hospital policies and procedures
• Maintain personal health and adhere to sick policy guidelines; do not abuse sick or personal days
• Communicate with physicians and team members about changes in patient clinical condition, diagnostic results, and symptomatology
• Respond quickly and accurately to changes in patient condition or response to treatment
• Answer telephone as assigned, route calls, or take messages appropriately
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
• Report to work on time and as scheduled; complete work within designated time
• Wear identification while on duty and use computerized punch time system correctly
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner
• Participate in hospital and department quality improvement activities
• Adhere to organizational and departmental customer service standards
• Participate in yearly legal compliance training and departmental legal compliance plan
• Recognize and respond appropriately to ethical dilemmas; confer with appropriate resource personnel when making ethical decisions
• Respond appropriately to patients in emergency or physically distressful situations

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Graduate of an accredited LPN/LVN program
• Current LPN/LVN licensure in the State of New Mexico
• Current American Heart HeartSaver or Basic Life Support (BLS) card
• Ability to read and communicate effectively in English
• Basic computer knowledge

Schedule

• Full-time position
• Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM