Licensed Practical Nurse Series

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Employees in this series perform personal care and nursing procedures applying nursing principles below those requiring full professional training as a registered nurse. They work in a health care facility under the general direction of a registered professional nurse and in cooperation with the health care team.

DESCRIPTIONS OF LEVELS OF WORK

Employees at this level perform personal care and nursing procedures applying elementary nursing principles below those requiring full professional training as a registered nurse.

A(n) Licensed Practical Nurse I typically -

1. carries out or assists with diagnostic procedures, which may include identifying and recording subjective symptoms, such as pain; observing and recording objective symptoms, such as body excreta and discharge, temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and changes in condition of body; collecting specimens for the laboratory; taking height and weight; measuring and recording intake and output of fluids; and performing certain laboratory and diagonostic testing such as urine test, acetone specific gravity, and may result in scheduling additional procedures, test, sugeries, and hospital admissions and obtain appropriate insurance authorization.
2. carries out therapeutic procedures, which may include applying binders and bandages, observing gastric-intestinal suction apparatus for proper functioning, administering enemas, giving sitz or tub baths, and applying heat or cold, performs wound care, including dressing changes, splint and cast removal, suture and staple removal.
3. meets physical needs of patient by providing for comfort and safety, through such procedures as adjusting the bed, providing appropriate support, giving back rubs, feeding helpless patients, positioning patients, and adjusting side rails, restraints, traction devises, or trapeze.
4. in accordance with established nursing policies and procedures, administers oral medications and intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections.
5. performs intravenous therapy, as directed by a registered nurse and/or physician.
6. identifies cessation of heartbeat or respiration, notifies appropriate medical and nursing personnel, initiates resuscitation (such as external cardiac massage and restoration of breathing) and assists physician with preparation of medication or other treatment as indicated.
7. maintains suitable environment for the patient by changing linens, tidying the premises, caring for equipment and ensuring that the room is properly ventilated, heated, and lighted, prepares patient exam rooms and equipment. Maintains adequate inventory of clinical supplies.
8. administers, assists with, or teaches good personal hygiene to provide comfort and cleanliness.
9. obtains the basic assessment data and brief history from patient documenting the information in accordance with prescribed clinical procedures, and communicates with patients to assess emotional and mental well-being; identifies and reports patients requiring special assistance.
10. escorts patient from waiting room and prepares patient for examination and procedure, charts and reports nursing care activities performed and reports all observations made, obtains the basic assessment data and brief history from patient and documents the information in accordance with prescribed clinical procedures.
11. may assist in providing nursing care to patients with complex health needs.
12. assists with scrub and circulating nurse duties in surgical procedures, assists the health provider with examination and/or procedure.
13. performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees at this level perform personal care and nursing procedures applying technical skills based on a limited knowledge of nursing principles below those requiring full professional training as a registered nurse.

A(n) Licensed Practical Nurse II typically -

1. in accordance with established nursing policies and procedures, prepares and administers oral medications and intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections, performs wound care, including dressing changes, splint and cast removal, suture and staple removal, performs diagnostic and screening tests, etc.
2. performs intravenous therapy, as directed by a registered nurse and/or physician.
3. performs audits of narcotics by counting supply on hand, comparing amount against record of use, and reporting discrepancies; assists in maintaining adequate inventory of supplies.
4. assists with blood transfusions by calculating blood flow rate, adjusting drip regulator to initiate and maintain correct rate of absorption, observing and reporting patient’s response, initiating emergency measures for any adverse reaction, and reporting patient’s condition to physician or nurse.
5. identifies cessation of heartbeat or respiration, notifies appropriate medical and nursing personnel, initiates resuscitation (such as external cardiac massage and restoration of breathing) and assists physician with preparation of medication or other treatment as indicated.
6. checks all chest tube connections for leaks and tapes when necessary, checks water seal drainage bottle to ensure that tube is beneath water level, marks drainage, and records time; records amount, color, and type of drainage.
7. assists in the operation of commonly used types of respirators; explains function and purpose of equipment to patient; initiates therapy and observes effect on patient.
8. draws blood through venous puncture.
9. transcribes physician’s instructions from order sheet to multiple forms using prescribed format.
10. transcribes physician’s instructions from order sheet to multiple forms using prescribed format.
11. acts as group leader for ancillary nursing personnel, preparing assignments, guiding personnel in giving nursing care, holding group conferences, preparing nursing care plans; and participates in the training and education of residents, medical students and new employees.
12. assists physician with clinical procedures (such as sigmoidoscopies, colposcopies, minor surgeries, and casting) , which may include scheduling procedures, test, sugeries, and hospital admissions and obtain appropriate insurance authorization.
13. assists with scrub and circulating nurse duties in surgical or clinic procedures.
14. assists physician with clinical procedures (such as sigmoidoscopies, colposcopies, minor surgeries, and casting), assists with examination and/or procedure.
15. under indirect supervision by a professional nurse, assumes charge responsibility for a clinical unit.
16. performs duties listed for the lower level of this series as appropriate.
17. performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

Graduation from an accredited program for Licensed Practical Nurses.

Eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. good verbal communication skills
2. ability to work effectively with others as a member of a health care team
3. possess sound judgment and a sincere interest in people

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

Possession of a valid license as a Licensed Practical Nurse issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation.

Six months of nursing experience in a health care facility (such as a hospital, nursing home, medical clinic, prison, mental health facility, or closely related facilities).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. good verbal communication skills
2. ability to work effectively with others as a member of a health care team
3. possess sound judgment and a sincere interest in people