Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a practical nurse and experience equivalent to one year of licensed practical nursing.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Currently licensed as a practical nurse with the State of Tennessee or holds a privilege to practice in the State of Tennessee under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). A valid motor vehicle operator license may be required.

Positions within the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Human Services will be required to:

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for licensed practical nursing duties of average difficulty; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the working level class in the Licensed Practical Nurse job series. An employee in this class is responsible for providing licensed practical nursing health care support in a hospital, clinic, institution, or in the home. An employee in this class may be assigned to work days, evenings, nights, and/or weekends. This class differs from Licensed Practical Nurse 1 in that the latter performs licensed practical nursing duties as directed by the immediate supervisor. This class differs from Licensed Practical Nurse 3 in that the latter is responsible for leading the work of technical nursing staff.

Assisting and Caring for Others:

• Performs BLS (Basic Life Support), CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and other emergency responses.

• Provides health care support as directed by the immediate supervisor.

• Follows a prescribed health care plan or protocol.

• Takes the patient's vital signs.

• Identifies patient's allergies.

• Administers medication.

• Monitors side effects of medication.

• Observes effectiveness of medications.

• Feeds the patient.

• Bathes the patient.

• Prepares the patient for laboratory tests.

• Obtains required lab specimens per protocol.

• Prepares specimens for transport to an outside laboratory.

• Performs other procedures per protocol.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others:

• Educates patients/caregivers how to maintain optimal health status.

• Demonstrates self-care such as dressing changes, self-examinations, activities of daily living (e.g., hygiene), and use of adaptive equipment/devices.

• Ensures the patient understands self-care instructions.

Documenting/Recording Information:

• Documents assessments, care and education provided to the patient.

• Lists vital signs and procedures performed in the patient's medical record.

• Documents orders followed and medical interventions.

• Documents completed tests and the results.

• Documents administration and effectiveness of drugs, documents utilization of controlled drugs.

• Completes medical and administrative forms (e.g. electronic or paper).

Monitoring and Controlling Resources:

• Maintains an adequate, current, and secure inventory of health care supplies.

• Reports discrepancies in the inventory.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material:

• Ensures that medical equipment and designated work areas are kept clean and serviceable.

• Reports any maintenance problems or repairs made on equipment.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

• Fosters team work to ensure total care of patient/client and outside entities.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

• Discusses the patients comprehensive health plan with other staff to identify the patients/clients needs.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Communicates with internal and external entities.

Coaching and Developing Others:

• Provides education to employees and others.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of principles of nursing, nursing practices, techniques, and applicable laws

• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders

• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services

Skills:

• The skill to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents

• The skill to listen to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times

• The skill to talk to others to convey information effectively

• The skill to adjust actions in relation to others' actions

• The skill to be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do

• The skill to actively look for ways to help people

• The skill to manage one's own time

Abilities:

• The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong

• The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas

• The ability to communicate (verbal and written) information and ideas

• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you

• The ability to apply general rules to specific problems

• Learning on the fly

• Problem solving

• Priority setting

• Timely decision making

• Standing alone

• Action oriented

• Drive for results

• Organizational agility

• Written Communication

• Compassion

• Ethics and Values

• Integrity and trust

• Patience

• Peer relationships

• Understanding others

• Electronic devices

• Various medical equipment and devices