Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) job description.
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or home health settings. They monitor vital signs, administer basic treatments and medications, and support patients with daily living needs. The role combines hands-on clinical care with careful documentation and close coordination with the broader nursing and medical team.
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Reports to: Registered Nurse or Director of Nursing
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or home health settings. They monitor vital signs, administer basic treatments and medications, and support patients with daily living needs. The role combines hands-on clinical care with careful documentation and close coordination with the broader nursing and medical team.
- Monitor and record vital signs, symptoms, and patient status changes
- Administer medications and basic treatments within scope of licensure
- Assist patients with bathing, feeding, mobility, and daily living activities
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
2 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Registered Nurse or Director of Nursing
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 vital signs, symptoms, and patient status changes
- Administer medications and basic treatments within scope of licensure
- Assist patients with bathing, feeding, mobility, and daily living activities
- Collect samples and perform basic diagnostic tests as directed
- Maintain accurate patient charts and documentation in the medical record
- Support wound care, dressing changes, and catheter or IV maintenance
- Communicate patient status and concerns to RNs and physicians
- Educate patients and families on care plans and home instructions
- Follow infection control and safety protocols at all times
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Completion of an accredited practical nursing program
- Current licensure/board certification as required by state and employer
- CPR/BLS certification
- Strong observational and communication skills
- Experience in long-term care, home health, or acute care settings
- IV therapy certification where permitted by state scope of practice
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 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 (LPN) job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry 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 Director of Nursing) 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, while RNs have a broader scope of practice and typically hold a nursing degree.
- Where do LPNs typically work?
- Common settings include nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, and rehabilitation facilities.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Licensed Practical Nurse
A Licensed Practical Nurse delivers direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians.
Certified Nursing Assistant
A Certified Nursing Assistant provides direct hands-on care to patients or residents under the supervision of licensed nursing staff.
Registered Nurse
A Registered Nurse provides clinical care across a range of settings — hospital, aged care, community, primary care.
This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 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.