Career Details :: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Description
Care for ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled persons in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Tasks
- Administers specified medication, orally or by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, and notes time and amount on patients' charts.
- Dresses wounds, gives enemas, douches, alcohol rubs, and massages.
- Observes patients and reports adverse reactions to medication or treatment to medical personnel in charge.
- Applies compresses, ice bags, and hot-water bottles.
- Washes and dresses bodies of deceased persons.
- Cleans rooms, makes beds, and answers patients' calls.
- Assists in delivery, care, and feeding of infants.
- Prepares or examines food trays for prescribed diet and feeds patients.
- Records food and fluid intake and output.
- Sterilizes equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
- Collects samples, such as urine, blood, and sputum, from patients for testing and performs routine laboratory tests on samples.
- Assembles and uses such equipment as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, and oxygen suppliers.
- Inventories and requisitions supplies.
- Bathes, dresses, and assists patients in walking and turning.
- Takes and records patients' vital signs.
- Provides medical treatment and personal care to patients in private home settings.
Related Careers
- Chiropractors
- Dental Hygienists
- Optometrists
- Orthodontists
- Physician Assistants
- Psychiatric Aides
- Respiratory Therapists
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Establishing & Maintaining Relationships
Important Skills
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Problem Identification
- Social Perceptiveness
Frequent Work Context
- Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
- Consequence of Error
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.