License Practical Nurse Responsibilities
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a health care professional who is licensed in New York State to deliver in-home nursing care under the direction of the Registered Nurse. They are qualified to perform nursing tasks that require licensure such as: medication administration, wound care, tracheostomy care, Foley catheter insertion and other nursing tasks as directed by the Registered Nurse. Additionally, the LPN working in the home care setting will perform other tasks related to maintaining your personal comfort and a clean, safe environment.
Below are some of the specific job responsibilities of an LPN:
A. Assists with or performs personal care for the patient including:
- Oral hygiene
- Bathing activities including shower, partial or bed bath
- Toileting activities including incontinence care as well as the use of the urinal, bedpan, and commode
- Personal grooming activities including shampooing, skin care, shaving, perineal care
- Dressing activities
B. Perform patient care including:
- Passive and/or active range-of-motion exercise
- Transfers
- Turning and positioning patients
- Monitoring patient’s vital signs
- Ostomy care
- Measuring patient’s weight
- Measuring intake and output
- Cleaning equipment used by the patient
- Keeping daily records of patient activities and observations
- Submitting weekly records to the Registered Nurse Supervisor and appropriate personnel on patient’s condition
C. Provide household services in order to maintain a safe, clean environment including:
- Personal laundry of the patient
- Making and changing the patient’s bed daily
- Dusting and vacuuming the rooms used by the patient
- Dishwashing the patient’s utensils
- Tidying and wet mopping the kitchen and bathroom to ensure a clean and sanitary area
- Disposing of the patient’s garbage at the end of each shift
- Tidying the patient’s bedroom
- Shopping for the patient if no other arrangement is possible
D. Prepare and assist with the dietary requirements of the patient including:
- Preparation of the prescribed diet for the patient
- Assisting with patient feeding when necessary
- Providing between meal nourishment
- Assisting with menu planning and grocery shopping
E. Assist the patient in maintaining their daily activities and quality of life style including:
- Socializing with family and friends
- Accompany the patient to medical appointments, social activities and outings as tolerated by the patient
F. Nursing skills including:
- Observes the client’s medical condition and reports these observations to the RN Nursing Supervisor for direction
- Administering medications, including injections
- Performing finger sticks and administering insulin
- Wound care
- Tracheostomy Care
- Foley catheter insertion/Straight catheterization
- Client/Family teaching related to diagnosis in accordance with maintaining the highest possible quality of life
