Job Description

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Erlanger Medical Center

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Department: Physician Practices

Employment Type: Regular, Standard Hours

Apply at: www.erlangercareers.org

Note: Erlanger Medical Center can hire individuals who have completed a nursing program as a Graduate Practice Nurse. These individuals can work onsite while pursuing their license.

Job Summary

As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Erlanger Medical Center, you will be responsible for providing direct and/or indirect patient care under the direct supervision of a Physician or Registered Nurse (RN).

This position is integral to a team-based approach to care. Team members are trained to function at the highest level within their role, adhering to State of Tennessee/Georgia guidelines. You will be trained and assigned to:

• Coordinate care for patients.
• Support patients, families, and caregivers in self-management, self-efficacy, and behavior change.
• Manage the practice’s patient population.

You will also actively participate in the practice’s quality improvement process and performance evaluation.

Education

• Required: Graduate from an accredited School of Practical Nursing.
• Preferred: PALS certification.

Experience

• Required:
  • Knowledge of general nursing principles and practice skills.
  • Knowledge of organizational functions, policies, and regulations.
  • Knowledge of current trends and new developments in nursing.
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of nursing applicable to areas requiring special education.
  • Ability to work effectively with people, demonstrating a poised, courteous, and pleasing personality.
  • Good telephone voice and ability to interact professionally with the public.
• Preferred: Previous pediatric experience.

Position Requirements (License/Certification/Registration)

• Required:
  • Current licensure to practice practical nursing in the State of Georgia.
  • BLS (Basic Life Support) certification completed prior to going to the unit/department and maintained going forward.
• Preferred: State of Tennessee practical nursing licensure.

Department Position Summary

The LPN must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care for patients on their assigned unit. This includes:

• Demonstrating knowledge of the principles of growth and development across the lifespan.
• Possessing the ability to assess and interpret data reflective of a patient’s status to identify age-specific needs.
• Providing care as described in the unit’s policies and procedures.

Competency will be evaluated through direct observation by a supervisor, skills lab assessment, verbal or written discussion, formal peer review, and/or self-assessment based on objective criteria that is reviewed and validated.

Key Abilities:

• Ability to assess and reassess patients, and to select, develop, implement, and evaluate a plan of care based on the scope of practice.
• Ability to administer pharmacological drugs as ordered, with a thorough understanding of each medication (classification, adverse effects, therapeutic actions, indications, drug interactions, onset, duration, etc.) prior to administration.
• Ability to perform procedures and operate equipment necessary for patient care as assigned.

Core Processes:

• Patient Assessment & Documentation (per unit standards of care)
• Scheduling diagnostic testing
• Pharmacology (administration and interaction)
• Documentation
• Age-Appropriate Care
• Knowledge of Growth and Development
• Lab Values/Panic Levels (assessment and intervention)
• Interpersonal Communication
• Implementing the plan of care
• Individualizing and evaluating the plan of care
• Patient reassessment and documentation (e.g., pain level)