LPN Hospice (Akron area)

Responsible for ensuring continuity of care and coordinating discharge planning. Acts as a member of the interdisciplinary team by providing direct patient under multiple levels of care. Collects and documents objective and subjective patient data, in accordance with the agency policies and procedures. Reports data, as appropriate, to the directing registered nurse and other members of the health care team, so that a plan of care is initiated and changes are accurately addressed.

Responsibilities:

• Actively engages and educates potential customers to the benefits and appropriateness of care.

• Ensures the patient and his/her family has adequate knowledge and understanding of the hospice or homecare benefit, as appropriate.

• For hospice only, processes incoming referrals.

• Contributes to the assessment of patients by collecting data for analysis by a RN.

• Observes patients and reports any unusual conditions to professional staff.

• Observes for safety risk and implements safety measures that are within scope of practice.

• Administers medications, within scope of practice, and observes patients for effectiveness in relief of symptoms as well as for adverse reactions to medications or treatments.

• Provides direct patient care including dressing changes and laboratory tests as part of the plan of care.

• Provides ongoing education and information to patients and family members, taking into consideration cultural issues and other special challenges.

• Maintains complete and up-to-date documentation and files at all times regarding patient condition and effectiveness and timeliness of care and interventions.

• Ensures seamless transition to the residential setting by coordinating services at time of discharge.

• Flexibility in setting and revising priorities for one’s daily assignment based on patient needs/acuity, family requests and available resources.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited practical or vocational nursing program.

Languages:

• English required

Certifications:

• Current Ohio License as a Licensed Practical Nurse required, with M-IV certification preferred.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA).

• Valid Ohio Driver’s license upon hire; per policy 8-175 thereafter.

• Proof of automobile insurance coverage with $100,000/$300,000 coverage upon hire; per policy 8-175 thereafter.

Competencies (Complexity of Work):

• Knowledgeable regarding JCAHO and Medicare standards and regulations.
• The ability to work confidently and accurately in a fast-paced, time-constrained environment.
• The ability to build and maintain relationships with patients, physicians, community agencies and institutions while providing excellent service and care.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of one year clinical experience as a professional nurse in an acute setting.
• In Hospice, previous hospice experience preferred.
• In Homecare, previous infusion experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires full range of motion, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.
• Requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time.
• Requires corrected hearing and vision to normal range.
• Requires some exposure to communicable disease or bodily fluids.
• Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
• Must be ambulatory and able to drive to patients' homes, able to climb stairs, pull, push, and facilitate movement of the patient.
• Must be able to read, write and communicate with patients.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our employees and applicants for employment in our tobacco free and drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substance and nicotine. Job offers will be rescinded for candidates for employment who test positive for nicotine. Candidates for employment who are impacted by Cleveland Clinic Health System's Smoking Policy will be permitted to reapply for open positions after 90 days.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.

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Cleveland Clinic Health System is pleased to be an equal employment employer: Women / Minorities / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

Schedule: Full Time