Licensed Practical Nurse - VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for delivering high-quality nursing oversight to individuals receiving Medical Respite Services. The Medical Respite LPN provides compassionate care to patients recovering from acute illness or injury in a medical respite setting. Working under the supervision of an RN Supervisor, the LPN collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to promote patient recovery, enhance health outcomes, and ensure a safe and effective discharge plan for homeless individuals. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining comprehensive care plans, ensuring compliance with medical standards, reviewing medical evaluations and results, consulting with healthcare professionals, conducting patient assessments, providing education and training to patients, ensuring medication adherence and reconciliation, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and performing related duties as assigned to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop, implement, monitor, evaluate, and adjust individualized care plans in accordance with RN Supervisor recommendations, ensuring comprehensive care for each patient.
2. Deliver direct patient care by ensuring medication adherence, conducting daily vital sign checks, and guiding patients in completing activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.
3. Document daily progress notes for each patient, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records.
4. Provide patient education on prescribed medications, including proper dosage, timing, and potential side effects.
5. Monitor patient health by tracking symptoms, observing any changes in condition, and promptly reporting these to the RN or physician.
6. Review medical records, evaluations, discharge summaries, and physician notes, and enter all relevant information and recommendations into the EHR system (CareLogic).
7. Communicate with physicians to provide complete and accurate updates on patients’ current health status and medical histories.
8. Educate patients on self-care techniques, hygiene, nutrition, and management of their health conditions.
9. Respond to staff calls regarding incidents, address medical emergencies, and provide first aid or life-saving interventions when necessary.
10. Review and update medication records promptly when changes occur.
11. Collaborate with case managers, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless patient care, including discharge planning and follow-up.
12. Maintain comprehensive and accurate patient records, including documentation of care plans, medication administration, and patient progress.
13. Advocate for homeless patients by connecting them with essential medical and social services to support their recovery and transition to stable housing.
14. Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, program policies, and nursing best practices.
15. Perform other related duties as assigned.
16. Coordinate and schedule medical appointments, ensuring transportation arrangements are made, and reconcile medical visits as needed.
17. Educate clients on their medical insurance benefits and assist them in understanding their coverage.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

None

KEY CONTACTS

• Maintains relationships with medical provider’s physicals, labs, etc.
• Maintains relationships with Dietician
• Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must have graduated from an accredited Nursing program and be licensed by the State of Louisiana as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Required to have at least two years of nursing experience. 

Physical Requirement

Physical requirements include walking, sitting, standing, bending, squatting, and lifting in the performance of general office duties and general nursing practices.  Required to assist in moving or transferring consumers.  Must be able to drive a vehicle to multiple group homes per day, or as required, in varying weather conditions and temperatures.     Work is performed indoors and outdoors.

Special Requirements

This position requires the incumbent to be licensed as a Practical Nurse and to be in good standing with the Nursing Board of Louisiana.  Must have a valid Louisiana Driver’s license and be insurable under the VOASELA, Inc.’s liability insurance.  Must be able to pass a criminal history investigation, and be able to obtain Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, First Aid certifications. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical requirements include sitting, standing, climbing, pushing, bending, squatting, lifting, and pulling. Maybe required to assist in moving consumers weighing up to 200lbs. Other physical requirements include:

·                     The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary.

·                     Move and lift light objects up to 30 pounds such as mail, supplies, files, and equipment.

·                     Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.