LPN, IV Certified

LPN IV Cancer Care, IV Certified

FLSA Employment Status: Nonexempt/Hourly

JOB SUMMARY

The IV-certified Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides safe, compassionate, patient-centered practical nursing care for oncology and hematology patients in the outpatient physician clinic and infusion center. The position supports patient preparation, specimen collection, peripheral and authorized central vascular access procedures, medication and infusion-related care within the LPN scope of practice, accurate documentation, and coordination of timely care. The LPN works under the direction of a registered nurse, physician, or other legally authorized practitioner consistent with Tennessee law and Hardin Medical Center (HMC) policy.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Cancer Center and/or Director of Nursing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education

Graduate of an accredited LPN program

Work Experience

One year of LPN clinical experience preferred. Oncology, hematology, infusion, ambulatory clinic, vascular access, or phlebotomy experience preferred.

License/Certification

Current Tennessee State Licensed Practical Nurse with no restrictions

Must be I.V. Certified

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association per HMC policy.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) through American Heart Association per HMC policy.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) through American Heart Association per HMC policy.

CORE COMPETENCIES

HMC Mission

Vision

Values and Standards of Conduct

AIDET and patient experience

Safety and quality

Customer service

Teamwork

Diversity and inclusion

Hand hygiene

Biohazard and hazardous drug safety

Privacy/HIPAA

Electronic documentation

Effective communication

JOB SPECIFIC CORE COMPETENCIES

Oncology/hematology patient needs, symptom recognition and prompt escalation, including possible infection or treatment-related complications.

Peripheral venipuncture and timely collection, labeling and transport of ordered blood specimens.

Peripheral IV insertion, maintenance and removal, as permitted.

Implanted port access/de-access, sampling and maintenance and PICC sampling, flushing and dressing changes.

Aseptic technique, central-line-associated infection prevention, safe sharps handling and protective equipment.

Infusion scheduling coordination, patient readiness, specimen turnaround and communication with laboratory and pharmacy.

Accurate documentation in the electronic medical record and communication of abnormal findings to the RN or provider.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Nursing/Patient Care

Provides safe, respectful, compassionate practical nursing care to patients receiving oncology/hematology evaluation and treatment.

Rooms and prepares patients; obtains and documents vital signs, weight, symptoms, medication information and relevant history; communicates findings requiring clinical evaluation.

Performs ordered blood collection by peripheral venipuncture, including specimen identification, labeling, handling and transport in accordance with HMC laboratory protocols.

Performs ordered blood specimen collection via implanted ports or PICC lines and approved device maintenance tasks.

Initiates and maintains peripheral IV access and provides allowed IV fluids/medications under orders and clinical supervision.

Supports registered nurses and providers in preparation for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood product transfusion and other infusion services; does not administer IV chemotherapy or blood products.

Observes patients during assigned care; promptly reports fever, suspected infection, infiltration, extravasation, hypersensitivity symptoms, change in condition or other urgent findings to the RN/provider and assists with emergency response.

Assists providers with clinic procedures and follow-up activities appropriate to LPN scope and training.

Provides reinforcement of established patient instructions and supportive education within practical nursing scope; refers new assessment, teaching or treatment decisions to the RN/provider.

Documents nursing activities, specimen collection, vascular access procedures, patient responses and handoff communication in the electronic health record.

Nursing/Patient Flow and Coordination

Coordinates with oncology providers, registered nurses, laboratory, pharmacy, scheduling and other HMC departments to support timely appointments and treatments.

Prioritizes assigned specimen collection and patient-preparation tasks to reduce avoidable delays without compromising patient safety.

Communicates outstanding laboratory results, access difficulties, treatment readiness concerns and patient needs to the appropriate team member.

Responds to patient calls and requests within role responsibilities and escalates clinical questions appropriately.

Quality/Safety

Follows patient identification, medication administration, infection prevention, bloodborne pathogen, hand hygiene, sterile/aseptic technique and equipment-cleaning requirements.

Uses personal protective equipment and complies with applicable hazardous drug handling and waste disposal procedures in the cancer center.

Supports the care of immunocompromised patients through appropriate screening and infection prevention practices.

Participates in departmental quality, patient satisfaction, patient safety and continuous improvement initiatives.

Protects patient confidentiality and complies with HMC policies, professional standards, Tennessee regulations and applicable accreditation requirements.

OTHER DUTIES

Prepares, cleans and organizes patient care areas, equipment and supplies for clinic visits, venipuncture, vascular access and infusion support.

Monitors supply inventory and notifies the designated team member when supplies require replenishment.

Assists with other related duties as assigned, within licensure, competencies and policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Frequent standing and walking; sitting, bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, lifting, carrying and pushing as required.

Ability to lift, push or pull up to 40 pounds during a scheduled work shift.

Assist with patient transfers and repositioning.

Requires fine motor skills for vascular access and specimen collection.

Potential exposure to infectious agents, blood and bodily fluids, sharps, and hazardous drug residues.

Requires appropriate protective equipment and ability to respond effectively to urgent situations.

Essential functions are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Activity	Occasionally (1-33%)	Frequently (34% to 66%)	Continuously (67% to 100%)
Sitting		X
Walking			X
Standing			X
Bending		X	X
Squatting		X
Climbing	X
Kneeling		X
Twisting		X
Lifting		X
Carrying		X
Pushing		X