Health Center LPN

Job Summary:

The Health Center LPN is responsible to the Practice Manager and works under the daily direction and clinical orders of the provider staff. The LPN plays a vital role in providing compassionate, high-quality patient care to individuals in the community, assisting with various aspects of patient care, contributing to the overall health and well-being of the patients served.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

• PATIENT CARE
  • Intake
    • Coordinate with office staff in monitoring and adjusting scheduling and workload of providers to insure the smooth flow of patients.
    • Interview patients for health history and clinical information updates.
    • Contributes to the assessment of patients through the collection of data using established protocols, procedures, forms or guidelines.
    • Take patient vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc.).
  • Treatment and Procedures
    • Apply and change dressings/bandages.
    • Administer IM, SQ, intradermal, and inhaled medications and vaccines.
    • Administer allergy injections, as per local site protocols.
    • Perform catheterization per provider orders and within the scope of health center protocols.
    • Conduct vision screening.
    • Conduct audiometry screening.
    • Perform EKG’s (if provided on site).
    • Assist in suturing procedures.
    • Other procedures as per health center protocols, for example starting IV’s, and responding to Code Blue/defib needs.
  • Health Education/Teaching
    • Instruct patients about treatment regimens (medication, diet, activity, etc.).
    • Provide education and instruction on issues of health maintenance.
    • Participate in the development and implementation of community health education initiatives (screening clinics, public information forums, etc.).
  • LABORATORY
    • Testing
      • Perform laboratory tests as per health center protocols.
      • Record tests and results in appropriate EMR.
    • Phlebotomy
      • Draw and prepare specimens for in-house or outside laboratory testing.
  • PHARMACEUTICALS
    • Dispensing
      • Dispense pharmaceuticals as per provider orders and in accordance with health center, NCHC, Vermont, and Federal guidelines.
      • Monitor inventory levels and outdates of on-site pharmaceutical supplies.
  • RECORDS
    • Medical Records
      • Document nursing activities and relevant patient care information in medical records as per health center protocols.
  • Tracking Systems
    • Record and maintain records and statistics (e.g. immunizations, perinatal data, etc.) as per protocols or request.
• INFECTION CONTROL
  • Instrument Sterilization
    • Clean and sterilize instruments.
    • General office infection control.
• QUALITY ASSURANCE
  • Participate in the development, implementation, audit, and continuous evaluation and improvement of protocols, services and programs provided by the health center.
• OTHER
  • It is expected that you will meet the productivity standards that are set forth by your Supervisor and/or NCHC Division protocols.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Position Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited LPN program.
• Licensed in the State of Vermont.
• Provider-level CPR/BLS required.
• Minimum one-year experience in a community health center, medical office, or similar setting.
• Familiarity with public health and community health issues.
• Knowledge of disease processes and treatments.
• Knowledge of medications and their effects/side effects.
• Effective communication skills with patients of all ages.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Skilled in multitasking and managing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Able to perform basic medical office lab tests.
• Proficient in written and verbal communication.
• Computer proficiency, including email, spreadsheets, word processing, and EMRs.
• High level of confidentiality required.
• Physically able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand/walk for extended periods.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination required.
• Exposure to bodily fluids and communicable diseases expected.
• Must be able to work under stress and in emergency situations during irregular hours.