Enteral Feeding Nurse LPN

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:

Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Enteral Feeding Nurse provides safe, efficient, and compassionate nursing care to students requiring enteral nutrition through gastrostomy (G), gastrojejunostomy (GJ), or jejunostomy (J) tubes during the school day. The Enteral Feeding Nurse supports student health and educational participation by ensuring prescribed feedings, and hydration are administered accurately while collaborating with team nurses, educators, therapists, families, and healthcare providers.This position is primarily responsible for enteral feeding services and does not function as the classroom nurse for assigned students.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Working Schedule: 187 days per year; Mondays through Fridays 7:00a-3:00p

Compensation: based upon education, experience, and bargaining unit agreement rates

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Enteral Feeding

• Administer prescribed enteral feedings via G-tube, GJ-tube, or J-tube according to physician orders and individualized health care plans.
• Perform pre- and post-feeding assessments as appropriate.
• Monitor students during feedings for signs of intolerance or complications, including:
  
  
  
  • Aspiration
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal distention
  • Tube obstruction
  • Feeding pump malfunction
  • Respiratory distress
  
  
  
  
• Flush feeding tubes according to physician orders and nursing protocols.
• Troubleshoot minor feeding pump alarms and equipment issues.
• Notify team nurse of changes in student condition or concerns requiring nursing assessment.

Family Communication

• Serve as the primary nursing contact for routine enteral feeding-related communication with families/guardians.
• Coordinate with families regarding enteral feeding supplies, formula availability, equipment needs, and physician order updates.
• Provide education and reinforcement of school enteral feeding procedures and expectations with classroom staff and families.
• Document all significant communications with families/guardians in the student's health record according to department procedures.
• Collaborate with the team nurses to communicate changes in care plans, feeding regimens, or clinical concerns requiring nursing assessment or provider follow-up.

Clinical Monitoring

• Observe and report changes in:
  
  
  
  • Respiratory status
  • Gastrointestinal status
  • Hydration
  • Skin integrity around tube sites
  • Student tolerance of feedings
  
  
  
  
• Recognize signs requiring immediate intervention and activate emergency response procedures when appropriate.
• Immediately report concerns to team nurses and Health Services Supervisor or Director.

Documentation

• Accurately document:
  
  
  
  • Feedings administered
  • Water flushes
  • Student tolerance
  • Equipment concerns
  • Missed or delayed feedings
  
  
  
  
• Maintain accurate documentation within the school's electronic health record (SNAP) and other required systems.

Collaboration

• Communicate effectively with team nurses, teachers, instructional aides, therapists, dietary staff, families/guardians, and healthcare providers to support student health and participation in the educational program.
• Communicate with families/guardians regarding routine enteral feeding needs, including supply concerns, feeding schedule coordination, missed or delayed feedings, equipment issues, and related matters.
• Notify families/guardians of concerns related to enteral feeding tolerance, tube integrity, or feeding equipment in collaboration with the team nurse, as appropriate.
• Escalate significant clinical concerns, changes in student condition, or issues requiring nursing assessment to the team nurse.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and assist with implementation of Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs) and physician orders.

Infection Prevention and Safety

• Follow universal precautions and infection prevention practices.
• Maintain cleanliness of feeding equipment and supplies.
• Ensure safe storage of enteral feeding products.
• Verify physician orders prior to administration.
• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and HIPAA as applicable.

Other Duties

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned consistent with the scope of the position.
• Assists with student personal care and hygiene routines, including toileting, hand hygiene, dressing, and grooming, as time permits and in accordance with student care plans.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an approved Practical Nursing Program.
• Current Pennsylvania Licensed Practical Nurse license.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Experience with enteral feeding preferred.
• Pediatric experience preferred.
• Experience working with children with complex medical needs preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Pediatric enteral feeding administration
• Knowledge of feeding pumps and enteral equipment
• Knowledge of Infection Prevention principles
• Documentation standards
• Experience with students who have complex medical conditions
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, ability to prioritize multiple scheduled feedings
• Ability to maintain accuracy under time contraints
• Excellent interpersonal communication
• Ability to adapt to changing student needs
• Commitment to family-centered, student-focused care
• Communicate effectively with interdisciplinary teams
• Maintain confidentiality
• Work independently while recognizing when team nurse consultation is required
• Build positive relationships with students and staff

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Lift up to 40 pounds.
• Assist with positioning students.
• Push feeding carts and medical equipment.
• Stand and walk throughout the school day.
• Bend, kneel, stoop, and reach.
• Perform fine motor tasks required for medication preparation and enteral feeding.
• Respond quickly to medical emergencies.

Work Environment

The position works throughout classrooms and other educational settings serving students with visual impairments, multiple disabilities, and complex medical needs. Exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, and medical emergencies may occur. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role is demonstrated by:

• Safe, timely administration of all scheduled enteral feedings and medications.
• Accurate and complete documentation.
• Compliance with physician orders and nursing protocols.
• Effective communication with the interdisciplinary team.
• Adherence to infection prevention and medication safety standards.
• Professionalism, compassion, and respect for all students and families.