Licensed Practical Nurse job description.
A Licensed Practical Nurse delivers direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. They monitor patient health, administer medications, and support treatment plans across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.
The Licensed Practical Nurse job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Licensed Practical Nurse Reports to: Registered Nurse or Nursing Supervisor
A Licensed Practical Nurse delivers direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. They monitor patient health, administer medications, and support treatment plans across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.
- Monitor and record patient vital signs and general condition
- Administer medications and treatments as ordered and permitted by license
- Assist with wound care, dressing changes, and basic procedures
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Registered Nurse or Nursing Supervisor
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Monitor and record patient vital signs and general condition
- Administer medications and treatments as ordered and permitted by license
- Assist with wound care, dressing changes, and basic procedures
- Collect samples and assist with diagnostic testing
- Support patients and families with education on care plans
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
- Coordinate with RNs and physicians on changes in patient status
- Supervise nursing assistants where assigned
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Completion of an accredited practical nursing program
- Current LPN/LVN license as required by state
- Working knowledge of clinical procedures and medication administration
- Strong attention to detail and communication skills
- 1+ years of clinical experience
- IV therapy certification
- Experience in long-term care or acute settings
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Licensed Practical Nurse job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Licensed Practical Nurse job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Registered Nurse or Nursing Supervisor) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What is the difference between an LPN and an RN?
- LPNs complete a shorter training program and work under RN or physician supervision with a more limited scope of practice than registered nurses.
- Can LPNs administer IV medications?
- This depends on state regulations and additional certification; many states require LPNs to complete an IV therapy course before doing so.
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Case Manager
A Case Manager coordinates services and resources on behalf of clients or patients to ensure continuity and quality of care.
This Licensed Practical Nurse job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.