LPN - Surgery Nursing Unit (Inpatient) at CARLE

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) assumes responsibilities for the direct nursing care of assigned patients under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) in patient care departments. Provides nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the LPN scope of practice as defined by the Illinois Board of Nursing. The LPN will be paired with an RN. LPN tasks may include oral meds, IV piggyback meds, trach care, dressing changes, documentation on assessments and care plans after the RN has completed the first assessment and initiated the care plan and working in the central telemetry room.

Position Highlights: Inpatient Surgical

• Number of beds on unit: 30
• Patient population (age, diagnosis, specifics about unit): The Surgical Unit is a 30-bed unit specializing in the care of patients of pre- and post-surgical patients ages18 years and older. Severity of conditions varies from the medically stable to discharge ready. Common types of patients include regional analgesia patients, orthopedic surgical patients, major abdominal surgery patients, urology surgery patients, spine surgery patients, trauma patients, and patients with IV pharmacological core drips and boluses.
• Nurse to Patient ratio: 1:5-6
• Department culture and resources: The Surgical unit is a fast-pace, team-oriented unit. We work closely with our physician partners and ancillary team members to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. We have a robust Shared Governance that meets monthly. We have a unit-based educator and charge nurses.
• Frequent nursing skills/equipment used: foley/IV/NG insertions, nursing prioritization, IV pumps, traction, lift equipment, SCDs, telemetry monitoring, various surgical drains, CBI

• Provide direct nursing care to patients under the supervision of a registered nurse. Nursing care is guided by the provider orders and the nursing plan of care within the LPN scope of practice.
• Reports patient response to care to registered nurse for evaluation, intervention and modification of the plan of care.
• Ensures documentation of care is complete and accurate.
• Passes all medications, hangs IV piggybacks and fluids, excluding IV Push meds.
• Charts assessments on assigned patients, given that an RN has charted the initial assessment.
• Charts on care plans, which the RN has opened. As needed will have RN open new care plans.
• Communicates with physicians/APPs to receive orders and coordinate care for patient.
• Complete dressing changes as needed.
• Completes trach care as needed.
• Insert and care for NG tube and feedings through NG tube.
• Reinforce education and discharge instructions.

• Cares for medical and surgical patients according to established unit standards.
• Ability to read and respond to EKGs in the central telemetry room.