[jjjoy]

I posted a question earlier in regard to why RNs can't fill LVN jobs in some areas. Some people said it was an issue of licensing, scope of practice, and potential liability.

Here's a job description for a Health Care Center Nursing Coordinator - LVN. Is there any reason an LVN would be preferable for this position, except for the fact that the facility can offer a lower starting wage? This job description is cut and paste directly from a job website.

- Maintains quality management standards to ensure successful audits, surveys and patient flow.

- Participates, and may be designated a point person, in preparation for State and County audits and/or site visits.

- Assures that the nursing staff acts within their individual scopes of practice.

- Monitors healthcare center nursing operations on a daily basis; this includes troubleshooting patient flow issues in a timely manner, acting as an information resources, and providing guidance and support as needed.

- Maintains clinical competency, as demonstrated in providing and directing patient care.

- Triages patients.

- Documents patient's weight, temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure at patient healthcare visit as ordered or per protocol.

- Collects samples such as urine, blood, and stool specimens in the Healthcare Centers as ordered, and prepares specimens for transport to lab. Instructs patients in home collection of urine, stool and sputum specimens, when appropriate.

- Administers and documents Purified Protein Derivative (PPD), as ordered. Documents results.

- Administers controlled medication and documents appropriately.

- Provides education to patient and patient’s personal support system in areas such as disease management, safer sex, etc.

- Documents services performed for compliance and reporting purposes.

- Reviews provider orders, lab requests or follow-up needs with patient.

- Receives lab results over the telephone and transmits them to the medical team in a timely manner.

- Assists and communicates with medical team concerning patient care issues (e.g., change in condition, refill requests, patient incidents).

- Assists medical team with examinations and procedures as assigned within scope of practice.

- Documents observations in the patient’s medical record as requested by the medical team,

- Receives and processes medication refill requests; verifies medication requests with medical team and obtains appropriate documentation.

- Responsible for maintaining and promoting the security and confidentiality of records relating to the healthcare center practice.

- Maintains supplies and cleanliness of examination rooms.

- Maintains standard precautions for infection control.

- Reviews, approves and submits bills and invoices for medical supplies and medication within 5 business days of receipt, and forwards these to the Account Payable department; ensures that all backup documentation is included.

- Maintains HCC nursing logs as required by policies and procedures.

- Participates in the HCC Leadership team. Promotes teamwork, good interpersonal relations and communication among staff at the healthcare setting at the local and global level.

- Communicates with clients and co-workers in a tactful and professional manner.

[LPN_mn]

Originally Posted by jjjoy

I posted a question earlier in regard to why RNs can't fill LVN jobs in some areas. Some people said it was an issue of licensing, scope of practice, and potential liability.

Here's a job description for a Health Care Center Nursing Coordinator - LVN. Is there any reason an LVN would be preferable for this position, except for the fact that the facility can offer a lower starting wage? This job description is cut and paste directly from a job website.

- Maintains quality management standards to ensure successful audits, surveys and patient flow.

- Participates, and may be designated a point person, in preparation for State and County audits and/or site visits.

- Assures that the nursing staff acts within their individual scopes of practice.

- Monitors healthcare center nursing operations on a daily basis; this includes troubleshooting patient flow issues in a timely manner, acting as an information resources, and providing guidance and support as needed.

- Maintains clinical competency, as demonstrated in providing and directing patient care.

- Triages patients.

- Documents patient's weight, temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure at patient healthcare visit as ordered or per protocol.

- Collects samples such as urine, blood, and stool specimens in the Healthcare Centers as ordered, and prepares specimens for transport to lab. Instructs patients in home collection of urine, stool and sputum specimens, when appropriate.

- Administers and documents Purified Protein Derivative (PPD), as ordered. Documents results.

- Administers controlled medication and documents appropriately.

- Provides education to patient and patient’s personal support system in areas such as disease management, safer sex, etc.

- Documents services performed for compliance and reporting purposes.

- Reviews provider orders, lab requests or follow-up needs with patient.

- Receives lab results over the telephone and transmits them to the medical team in a timely manner.

- Assists and communicates with medical team concerning patient care issues (e.g., change in condition, refill requests, patient incidents).

- Assists medical team with examinations and procedures as assigned within scope of practice.

- Documents observations in the patient’s medical record as requested by the medical team,

- Receives and processes medication refill requests; verifies medication requests with medical team and obtains appropriate documentation.

- Responsible for maintaining and promoting the security and confidentiality of records relating to the healthcare center practice.

- Maintains supplies and cleanliness of examination rooms.

- Maintains standard precautions for infection control.

- Reviews, approves and submits bills and invoices for medical supplies and medication within 5 business days of receipt, and forwards these to the Account Payable department; ensures that all backup documentation is included.

- Maintains HCC nursing logs as required by policies and procedures.

- Participates in the HCC Leadership team. Promotes teamwork, good interpersonal relations and communication among staff at the healthcare setting at the local and global level.

- Communicates with clients and co-workers in a tactful and professional manner.

There are a few things that as an LPN I would be concerned with:

Assures that nursing staff practices within their scope of practice...I am not sure that is something within the scope of practice for an LPN.

In most states LPN's are not allowed to triage.

I did not learn phlebotomy in LPN school. I was taught on the job by another nurse. Not saying it is not something that an LPN can't do just it is not something that we are taught in school.

This sounds like a job that would be more appropriate for an RN.