LTAC nurses contribute a lot in areas of the hospital where patients need special care. That’s why they are indeed nurses. LTAC nursing jobs in Louisiana continue to be in demand due to the unending pandemic. Nurses are taking this opportunity to practice their profession and advance their careers as well.
What are The Roles and Responsibilities of an LTAC Nurse?
Assessment of Patient’s condition
Assessment of the patient’s condition is part of their duties. Assessment is important so the team would know what treatment plan is needed for the patients. LTAC nurses work under doctors’ supervision and other nurses when it comes to creating and implementing treatment plans for the patients. Treatment plans for each patient are different for each patient since they have different conditions.
Checking and MOnitoring of Equipment
Patients in LTAC facilities are attached to ventilators, monitoring machines, and other equipment. LTAC nurses have to make sure that the machines are in working condition and each of them is set according to the needs of the patient. Error in these machines can lead to danger for the patient’s life.
Administering Medicines
Some medicines have to be administered intravenously, as an LTAC nurse, this is one of their duties. Plus they have to make sure that medicines are given in the correct dosage and correct schedule. That’s why LTAC nurses are trained to administer medicines via an intravenous method. Not all nurses are skilled and trained to perform this duty.
Recording the Patient’s Vitals
Vital signs should be checked now and then to know if the patient’s condition is stable or not. LTAC nurses have to record and monitor the patient’s vitals so they can be sure that the patients are in stable condition. If there are unusual numbers on the patient’s vital signs then they have to administer an immediate procedure or call the physician to check on the patient.
Ordering Diagnostic Tests
Tests are important to know if the patient’s system is still running normally. The LTAC nurse has to order diagnostic tests for patients whom they think need them. This way they can tell if special procedures or medications are needed. LTAC nurses should be alert enough to determine if the patient needs to undergo some diagnostic test to avoid complications in their condition.
Treatment of Wounds
In LTAC units some patients are recovering from severe wounds. LTAC nurses should be responsible for cleaning and dressing the wounds of the patients. They have to check the wound from time to time to see any progress or if it needs more than a normal procedure to make it heal faster.
LTAC Nurse Job Requirements
Licenses
An LTAC nurse should be a registered nurse. To work as an LTCA morse you should be able to have an active and updated license. Apart from your RN license, make sure that you have a state license if you plan to work in other states that need them.
Experience
1 to 2 years of experience in departments such as telemetry, ICU or medical-surgical, ER, or progressive care units is a must. Since most of the duties of an LTAC nurse are related to these departments, it can be a way to measure that you can handle the duties in an LTAC unit. Experience in tracheotomy, drips, and a ventilator is also a must.
Certificates
Current Basic Life Support certification and Advanced Life Support Certification (ACLS) are needed. Patients in the LTAC unit are mostly those who need immediate action that is related to respiratory and cardiac issues. That’s why an LTAC nurse should be knowledgeable enough to do first aid as well as assist patients with heart issues.
Now that question: what are the roles of an LTAC Nurse? Has been answered that you now have a clearer understanding of LTAC nurses. IF you are planning to be an LTAC nurse check on the qualifications if you are ready to become one or if you need more experience to be able to become one. Start getting that experience and advance your career as an LTAC nurse. LTAC nurses get more compensated since they get to perform a lot of duties and they have more skills to show. Keep on getting jobs and training to be able to be qualified one day as an LTAC nurse.
