Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Job Description Template

Licensed Practical Nurse Job Overview

A Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct, hands-on patient care under the supervision of Registered Nurses and physicians. In this role, you'll deliver routine nursing care, monitor patient status, collect specimens, administer medications within your state's LPN scope, and document observations in the facility's EHR. The role typically reports to the Charge RN or Nurse Manager.

This is not an entry-level role in the sense that it requires no judgment — it demands strong clinical observation skills and clear communication so the supervising RN can act on your findings accurately. LPNs who perform well here are the ones who flag subtle changes early, complete documentation without prompting, and build genuine rapport with patients who depend on them for daily care.

In long-term care and skilled nursing settings, LPNs frequently carry a heavier patient load (15-25 residents) than hospital-based counterparts and play a central coordination role between CNAs and the RN team. In outpatient and home health settings, the work is more autonomous within defined protocols, with a stronger emphasis on patient education and monitoring.

Success is measured by documentation accuracy, patient satisfaction scores, medication error rates, and peer feedback during RN supervisory review. The best LPNs in this environment function as the clinical eyes and ears between patient rooms and the RN station.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver routine nursing care including vital sign monitoring, wound dressing changes, catheter care, and personal hygiene assistance within LPN scope of practice

• Administer oral, topical, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications per physician orders and state licensure authority (IV medication administration per state-specific scope)

• Observe and document changes in patient condition — pain levels, behavioral shifts, skin integrity changes, and intake/output — and report findings to the supervising RN promptly using SBAR format

• Collect and label blood, urine, and other specimens for laboratory processing following aseptic technique and chain-of-custody protocols

• Perform and document fingerstick blood glucose monitoring, oxygen saturation checks, and weight measurements at ordered intervals

• Assist supervising RN with care planning by contributing clinical observations and patient history details gathered during direct care interactions

• Provide patient and family education on wound care, medication schedules, dietary restrictions, and activity limitations in plain, understandable language

• Supervise and delegate appropriate tasks to Certified Nursing Assistants, ensuring care is delivered safely and documented correctly

• Complete shift change reports and electronic documentation within the EHR (PointClickCare, MatrixCare, Epic, or facility equivalent) before end-of-shift

• Maintain equipment, replenish supplies, and report any malfunctioning clinical equipment to appropriate personnel immediately

Required Qualifications for a Licensed Practical Nurse

• Active, unrestricted LPN or LVN license issued by the state board of nursing (multistate compact accepted where applicable)

• Completion of a state-approved practical nursing diploma or certificate program from an accredited institution

• Current BLS certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

• Minimum 1 year of clinical experience in a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, long-term care, home health, or outpatient setting (new grad LPN roles specify accordingly)

• Demonstrated familiarity with at least one EHR system at the clinical documentation level

• Clear understanding of LPN scope of practice within the state of employment and the ability to recognize when to escalate to a supervising RN

• Proven ability to manage care for 8-20+ patients or residents simultaneously, depending on facility type

• Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays in accordance with facility staffing requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a specialty setting relevant to the hiring unit: memory care, wound care, pediatrics, or post-surgical care

• Certification through the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES) or National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses (NFLPN)

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or other languages serving the local patient population

• IV therapy certification where permitted under state LPN scope (California, Florida, and others with specific IV LPN provisions)

• Prior experience using PointClickCare, MatrixCare, or similar long-term care-specific EHR platforms

• Current enrollment in or completion of an RN bridge program

Essential Skills & Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses

Technical Skills:

• Vital signs assessment: blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, pain scoring

• Medication administration: oral, sublingual, topical, IM, subcutaneous routes; IV administration per state scope

• Wound care: dressing changes, wound measurement, irrigation, and staging documentation

• Foley catheter insertion, irrigation, and ongoing maintenance

• Nasogastric tube management: feeding, irrigation, and residual checks per protocol

• Specimen collection: venipuncture (where authorized by state), urine, stool, wound swabs

• Blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration including sliding scale management

• EHR documentation: nursing notes, medication administration records (MAR), incident reports

• Oxygen therapy setup and monitoring: nasal cannula, simple mask, non-rebreather

• Basic cardiac monitoring: SpO2 trends, pulse irregularity recognition, and escalation criteria

  
  
  

Soft Skills:

• Attentiveness to subtle clinical changes that can indicate deteriorating condition before numbers confirm it

• Clear, concise verbal handoff to RNs that gives them exactly what they need without editorializing

• Patience with patients who have cognitive impairment, dementia, or communication barriers

• Reliability that supervisors trust — completing your assignment without needing to be checked on constantly

• Delegation to CNAs that is directive without being dismissive

• Composure when multiple patients need attention at the same time

• Honest, timely error reporting that prioritizes patient safety over self-protection

LPN Salary Range & Benefits

Salary Overview

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $59,730 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. Compensation varies by setting, specialization, shift differential, and geographic market.

Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas:

• San Jose, CA: $76,500

• San Francisco, CA: $74,200

• Napa, CA: $71,900

• Seattle, WA: $67,400

• Anchorage, AK: $65,800

Night, weekend, and holiday differentials typically add $2-$5/hour. LPNs in travel assignments average 20-35% above staff pay in current high-demand markets.

Benefits Package

Competitive LPN offers in 2026 typically include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with partial or full employer contribution

• 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan with employer match (typically 3-5%)

• Paid time off: 10-20 days annually based on tenure and employment type

• Paid sick leave, short-term disability, and FMLA eligibility

• License renewal reimbursement and paid continuing education hours

• Tuition assistance for RN bridge programs: $1,500-$5,000/year at many health systems

• Shift differentials for evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays

• Employee assistance programs including counseling and financial wellness support

• Uniform/scrub allowance at many facilities

• Opportunities for advancement through LPN-to-RN bridge programs supported by the employer

Frequently Asked Questions About Licensed Practical Nurses

Q: What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do?
A: A Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct patient care under the supervision of Registered Nurses and physicians. Core responsibilities include monitoring patient condition, administering medications within state-authorized scope, performing routine treatments, collecting specimens, and documenting observations in the facility's EHR. LPNs are a critical clinical presence in long-term care, skilled nursing, home health, and outpatient settings.

Q: What qualifications do you need to be a Licensed Practical Nurse?
A: You need to complete a state-approved practical nursing program (typically 12 months), pass the NCLEX-PN licensing examination, and hold an active, unrestricted LPN or LVN license in the state of practice. Current BLS certification is required by most employers, and some positions require IV therapy certification where permitted by state scope.

Q: How much does a Licensed Practical Nurse make?
A: The BLS reports a median annual salary of $59,730 for LPNs/LVNs. California LPNs earn significantly more — top metro areas push past $74,000. Setting matters: LPNs in government or specialty hospital positions typically outearn those in nursing home environments by 10-15%.

Q: What skills are required for a Licensed Practical Nurse?
A: Technical skills include vital signs, medication administration, wound care, catheter management, specimen collection, and EHR documentation. Equally important is strong clinical observation — the ability to notice when something is "off" before it becomes a measurable problem — and clear, structured communication with supervising RNs and physicians.

Q: What is the difference between an LPN and an RN?
A: RNs complete more extensive education (ADN or BSN vs. a 12-month diploma for LPNs), hold independent practice authority, and are fully responsible for care plan development and clinical assessment. LPNs operate within a defined scope under RN or physician supervision, focusing on direct care delivery. In most states, LPNs cannot perform initial patient assessments or independently administer IV push medications.

Q: How do you assess an LPN candidate?
A: Verify license status and any board action history first. In interviews, focus on scenario-based questions: ask how they handled a patient who refused medication, how they prioritized care for multiple residents with competing needs, or what they do when they notice something a physician ordered looks incorrect. Ask specifically what EHR systems they have used and how their state defines IV scope for LPNs. A brief clinical skills check before the offer stage is worth the extra step.

Q: What is the career path for an LPN?
A: Most LPNs either advance through an LPN-to-RN bridge program — earning an ADN or BSN — or develop expertise in a clinical specialty like wound care (earning CWCN certification), long-term care, or infusion therapy. Some move into supervisory LPN roles in long-term care settings where LPN charge positions are common. LPN experience provides a strong clinical foundation for accelerated nursing programs.