This occupation is part of the Healthcare Practitioner and Technical cluster
-
Compatibility
not enough datawhy?
- x Create a Plan
- x Find Training
- x Find Job Openings
About the Job
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
It is also Called
- Charge Nurse
- Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (CLINIC LPN)
- Clinic Nurse
- Home Health Care Provider
- Home Health Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- Nursing Technician
- Office Nurse
- Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC LPN)
What They Do
- Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
- Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
- Sterilize equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
- Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
- Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.
- Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and implement interventions.
- Collect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples.
- Prepare patients for examinations, tests, or treatments and explain procedures.
- Assemble and use equipment, such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers.
Interests
People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: SR.
This means people who work in this occupation generally have Social interests, but also prefer Realistic environments.
Work Values
People who work in this occupation generally prize Relationships, but also value Support and Achievement in their jobs.
Things They Need to Know
- Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Things They Need to Be Able to Do
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Additional Resources
- California Occupational Guide - A detailed guide to this occupation provided by the California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Education Required
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Wages
In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $51,170 with most people making between $36,720 and $68,090
Outlook
During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 64,500 people in California. It is projected that there will be 79,000 employed in 2020.
This occupation will have about 1,450 openings due to growth and about 1,720 replacement openings for approximately 3,170 total annual openings.
People who viewed this occupation also viewed:
-
onetPhysician Assistants
-
majorLicensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
-
majorRegistered Nursing/Registered Nurse
-
collegeAntelope Valley College
-
collegeCalifornia State University-Long Beach
-
onetMedical Assistants
-
collegeLoma Linda University
-
collegeFoothill College
-
onetRegistered Nurses
-
majorNursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
-
majorLicensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training (LPN, LVN, Cert., Dipl, AAS)