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Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

T12 Cardiology

.9 full time (36 hours/week)

Shifts: 7a-7p/7p-7a rotation – every other weekend & holiday rotation

Union position: Yes (AFSCME)

Posted: 11/23/2022

NEW STARTING PAY for this position is $20.90/hour (+ applicable experience!). Shift differential for the night shift rotation is $1.60.

Sign-On Bonus Details:

+ $12,500 sign-on bonus available for nurses with 1 or more years of experience

+ $10,000 sign-on bonus available for nurses with less than one year of experience (includes GPNs)

+ Candidates hired into a sign-on bonus eligible role will be asked to make a two-year work commitment.

About T12:

T12 Cardiology (Medical Progressive Care) is a fast paced 45 bed medical stepdown unit. We serve the adult population with acute diagnoses that are too unstable for a general medical floor, or who are newly transferred out of ICU.

Purpose & Responsibilities of the LPN:

Patient Care

Assist with meals by preparing patients, serving and collecting trays, helping with feeding (including tube feedings), and providing fresh water and snacks. Help patients with toileting, collect and label specimens, and assist with bed transfers, positioning, and walking. Offer recreational or diversional activities as directed.

Medication Administration

Handle medications by storing them properly, cleaning medication carts, and informing the team leader of any issues. Administer medications (oral, IV, etc.) as prescribed, under the supervision of a registered nurse. Document all medication administration accurately and follow Pyxis System procedures. Manage narcotics by counting them with a registered nurse at the end of your shift.

Patient Monitoring and Documentation

Observe and report any unusual symptoms or changes in patient conditions, and record care delivered according to unit policies. Respond promptly and effectively to emergency situations.

Environmental and Equipment Maintenance

Maintain cleanliness in utility rooms, handle soiled linen, and clean, sterilize, and store instruments and equipment. Keep patient rooms and equipment orderly, and perform terminal cleaning if environmental service aides are unavailable.

Patient Transfers and Admissions

Assist registered nurses with patient admissions, orientation, transfers, and discharges. Escort patients to and from different departments or divisions.

Safety and Compliance

Follow universal precautions and occupational exposure policies. Apply restraints and protective mechanisms when necessary and complete required documentation.

General Assistance

Answer the nurse call system promptly and appropriately. Support registered nurses with patient care tasks such as catheterizations, suctioning, enemas, dressing changes, and other procedures as directed by the team leader or charge nurse.

+ No experience required.

+ Must have a temporary permit or a valid license as a practical nurse in the State of Pennsylvania

+ Must successfully pass the Altoona Hospital pharmacology challenge exam.

+ Must maintain CPR certification.

+ *Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

+ Must take nurse assignment at the top of LPN license in a Med/Surg/Tele OR Emergency Department setting.

+ LPNs who have graduated outside the state of PA on any date, or graduated in PA prior to August 25, 2012, and did not complete a PA state approved LPN IV course, the LPN will need to complete a 5-hour online module which is followed by a test and a 3-hour in person course which will be provided by the UPMC Altoona Education Department within 4-months of hire or transfer.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

+ CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

+ Must complete licensure examination within FOUR MONTHS of hire or within one year of graduation, whichever comes first.

+ Though temporary permits are valid for one year from the date of graduation, not one year from issue of permit (or until the results of the examination are known at which time it becomes null and void), UPMC requires that GPNs take the licensure examination within 4 months of their start date, or they will be terminated or demoted from the GPN position, at the discretion of the BU.

+ Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

+ Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

+ Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) OR Temporary Practice Permit (TPP)

+ National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification

+ Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran