La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.

Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.

The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.

Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for wards of the state, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County

SUMMARY:   The Licensed Practical Nurse-L.P. N (or Practical Nurse) is licensed under the State of Illinois. The license is renewed every two years on the odd year, with the employee being accountable for completing by January. The licensed Practical Nurse means the performance of nursing interventions requiring the knowledge, judgment, and skill acquired by means of completion of an approved practical nursing education program.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) delivers direct and indirect care to acute and chronically ill patients from infancy to adolescence as well as some young adults.  Incorporating a holistic approach, the L.P.N. functions under the direction of a professional Registered Nurse. 

The LPN performs under the Nurse Practice Act allowing assistance in the Nursing process under the guidance of a Registered Nurse. Competence is measured during orientation and ongoing. Registered Nurse oversight is provided by the Charge Nurse, Assistant Clinical Manager (ACM) or Administrative Nurse Coordinator (ANC), Educator and/or assigned Registered Nurse (such as in orientation or mentoring)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides appropriate safe direct care to patients by:                                                                          50%

• Observing patients by observing signs and symptoms exhibited by the patient.
• Implementing care to meet identified needs of patients and families based on the chronological and developmental age of the patient and plan of care. 
• Utilizing knowledge of growth and development in delivery of patient care.
• Teaching patients and families according to plan devised by Professional Nurse and Nurse Leader.
• Administering medications to patients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Maintain fluids that were started by an RN
• Admission of a patient and assisting with the nursing process under supervision from an RN.
• Fostering the health and well-being of children and families in the health care setting
• Maintaining a clean, safe environment for the pediatric patient.

LPNs are not allowed to: 

•   Start a PIV 
•   Change a central line, PICC, or port-a-cath dressing or cap (they can assist an RN though - which is covered in orientation)
•  Administer fluids, medications, or flushes to a PIV, central line, PICC, or port-a-cath
•  Changing fluid rate 
•  De-access a port-a-cath
•  Change the tubing or fluids for a PIV, central line, PICC, or port-a-cath 

2. Communicates the condition of the patient to appropriate members of the health care team by: 30% 

• Reporting information to Nurse, Charge Nurse, ACM, ANC or appropriate member of the health team.
• Documenting significant information in electronic medical records
• Evaluating care plan and the patient's response to the plan in conjunction with
  primary team and modifying the plan based on patient and family needs.
• Participating in care team conferences.

3. Assuring/Improving Quality of Care - 15%      Education is attained by orientation and ongoing education of duties                                    

•    Maintains a safe and therapeutic patient care environment by providing care that follows policies               

                 and procedures and is in accord with the Illinois Nurse Practice Act (225 ILCS 65/Nurse Practice Act.).

•    Demonstrates Unit specific skills and competencies (e.g, Tracheostomy care).
•    Knowledgeable in using patient care equipment; recognizes any malfunction, takes out of service

                  and reports immediately.

•    Demonstrates knowledge of infection control and safety precautions (e.g., isolation, IV-line care).
•    Displays basic knowledge of JCAHO, IDPH, HIPPA and other regulatory requirements.

                  participates in continuous preparation for survey.

•    Aware of quality improvement initiatives on unit and in hospital and seeks to incorporate

                  information from projects into practice. monitor.

•    Completes and routes Safety Learning Notifications appropriately

4.   Maintains required job skills and professional competencies.  Attends required educational sessions.  Supports the hospital's mission and observes hospital core job values (with respect to work quality, productivity, teamwork, customer service and initiative).                                                                                            5%    

CPR required: Effective 7/1/2026 New hires will obtain RQI BLS within 30 days of hire or prior to direct patient care and will maintain certification quarterly.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

Performs other duties as assigned, within their scope of practice

Education: Graduate of an approved school of Practical Nursing and certification of completion of an approved pharmacology course.

Passing Medication administration and math test during orientation and whenever any updates are required

Related Work Experience: Previous experience recommended, preferably in pediatrics.   

Licensure/Certification:  Current Licensure as a Practical Nurse in the State of Illinois. 

Specialized Knowledge and Skills: Works well  under the direction of an R.N. 

CPR required.  Only certifications issued by the American Heart Association, or the American Red Cross will be accepted.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.   

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.