Licensed practical nurse job description template

Position Identification Details

1. Position Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse delivers direct nursing care, clinical interventions, and health monitoring to patients and residents within the established scope of practical nursing practice in [PROVINCE]. Operating in accordance with provincial regulatory college standards and organizational policies, this role provides compassionate, person-centred care to individuals with stable or predictable health conditions. The role works collaboratively with registered nursing staff, physicians, allied health professionals, and unregulated care providers to ensure safe, high-quality healthcare delivery. The primary outcome of this position is the maintenance of optimal patient health, dignity, comfort, and clinical safety through accurate assessment, timely medication administration, active care planning, and clear documentation.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Direct Nursing Care and Clinical Interventions (25%)

• Administers bedside nursing care, including wound care, sterile dressing changes, catheterization, vital sign monitoring, and tracheostomy care within legislated scope of practice.
• Performs point-of-care testing, specimen collection, and diagnostic monitoring in accordance with clinical protocols and manufacturer specifications.
• Recognizes changes in patient baseline health status and escalates emergent clinical concerns immediately to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] or the attending physician.
• Implements fall prevention, pressure injury prevention, and safe patient handling techniques during all direct care interactions.

2.2 Medication Administration and Safety (20%)

• Administers oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, topical, and inhaled medications in strict accordance with the rights of medication administration and organizational medication management policy.
• Conducts regular medication reconciliation and verifies physician orders against electronic or paper Medication Administration Records (MAR).
• Monitors patients for therapeutic response, potential adverse drug reactions, and drug-drug interactions, reporting anomalies to the primary care provider.
• Maintains secure storage, narcotic counts, and reconciliation logs for controlled substances in compliance with federal and provincial regulations.

2.3 Assessment, Monitoring, and Care Planning (15%)

• Conducts focused physical and psychosocial health assessments on admission, routine intervals, and status changes.
• Contributes practical nursing observations and objective clinical data to individualized, interdisciplinary care plans.
• Evaluates patient progress toward established care goals and recommends modifications to care plans based on observed clinical outcomes.
• Participates in interdisciplinary care conferences, shift handovers, and clinical huddles to ensure continuity of care across operational shifts.

2.4 Clinical Documentation and Health Informatics (15%)

• Completes contemporaneous, objective, and accurate documentation of assessments, interventions, medication administration, and patient responses in [HRIS_NAME] or designated electronic medical record system.
• Documents clinical incidents, medication errors, near misses, and unusual occurrences within established reporting timelines.
• Protects patient health information privacy and confidentiality in full alignment with applicable provincial health information privacy legislation.
• Completes shift transfer logs, communication books, and handoff tools to ensure seamless information transfer.

2.5 Infection Prevention and Control (10%)

• Applies routine practices and additional transmission-based precautions (contact, droplet, airborne) during all clinical duties.
• Cleans, sanitizes, and sterilizes medical equipment and clinical treatment areas according to infection control standards and organizational standard operating procedures.
• Uses and enforces appropriate personal protective equipment ([REQUIRED_PPE]) for self, staff, and visitors.
• Identifies, isolates, and reports suspected outbreaks of communicable diseases in coordination with public health guidelines and management directives.

2.6 Patient and Family Education (5%)

• Delivers standardized health education to patients and families regarding disease self-management, post-treatment care, and prescribed medication regimens.
• Reinforces discharge instructions and community resource information developed by the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Answers patient and caregiver questions clearly, empathetically, and within the scope of practical nursing knowledge.

2.7 Interprofessional Support and Delegated Supervision (5%)

• Provides guidance, workflow coordination, and task assignment to unregulated care providers (e.g., Health Care Aides, Personal Support Workers).
• Mentors new nursing personnel and nursing students during clinical orientations and workplace practical placements.
• Reports performance concerns or workflow bottlenecks regarding support staff directly to [OWNER_OR_MANAGER].

2.8 Clinical Environment and Inventory Maintenance (5%)

• Monitors inventory levels of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and clinical consumables, submitting replenishment requests to maintain operational readiness.
• Inspects medical equipment, diagnostic instruments, and emergency kits for operational readiness and calibration dates.
• Reports facility maintenance hazards, defective equipment, and occupational safety concerns promptly.

3. Qualifications & Experience

Job Qualifications Assessment Grid

4. Competencies

Core and Clinical Competency Framework

5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures

5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The following physical and environmental demands define the operational realities of this position and serve as the baseline for assessing bona fide occupational requirements, return-to-work plans, and workplace accommodation requests.

Physical and Environmental Demands Analysis

5.2 Performance Measures

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

5.3 Career Path

• Typical Prior Roles: Healthcare Aide (HCA), Personal Support Worker (PSW), Nursing Student, Clinical Medical Assistant.
• Typical Next Roles: Specialized LPN (e.g., Operating Room, Advanced Wound Care, Occupational Health), LPN Shift Supervisor / Clinical Team Lead, Registered Nurse (upon completion of an approved academic bridging programme).

5.4 Acknowledgement and Agreement

This job description is intended to summarize the general nature, scope, and level of work performed by an individual assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive inventory of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or physical demands. Management reserves the right to amend or adjust this job description with reasonable notice to meet operational, clinical, and patient care needs.

Employee Sign-Off:

I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understood the responsibilities, working conditions, and expectations outlined in this job description.

Employee Name (Printed): [EMPLOYEE_NAME]
Employee Signature: _____
Date: ____

Manager Sign-Off:

Manager Name (Printed): [MANAGER_NAME]
Manager Signature: _____
Date: ____

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