Licensed Practical Nurse Job Description (2026): Duties, Skills and Salary
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides direct, hands-on care to patients in nursing homes, clinics, home health and some hospital units. They take vitals, give medications, change dressings, and are often the staff member who spends the most time at the bedside, which makes them a key source of early warning when a patient's condition changes.
LPNs work under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician, and the scope of what they can do varies by state and by setting: some administer IV medications, others don't. Nursing homes and long-term care are a very common setting, and clinics, home health agencies and correctional facilities also employ LPNs, so the posting should say which one it is.
Licensed Practical Nurse job description template
Copy it, replace everything in [brackets] and cut what doesn't apply. Keep the requirements to what the job really needs.
Template · replace the [brackets]
Licensed Practical Nurse
[Company] · [City and office days, or remote with the countries or time zones you hire in] · [Full-time]
About [Company]
[Two or three sentences on what your company does, who it serves and why this team matters now.]
About the role
[Company] is hiring a licensed practical nurse to provide direct patient care at [facility type] under the supervision of our RNs and physicians. You'll manage a patient load, document care accurately, and be a steady presence for patients and families.
What you'll do
- Take and record vital signs, and report changes in patient condition to the RN or physician.
- Administer medications and treatments within your state's LPN scope of practice.
- Assist with activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, mobility and feeding as needed.
- Change dressings, monitor wounds and perform basic treatments ordered by the care team.
- Document care accurately and promptly in [EHR system].
- Communicate with patients and families about care plans in clear, reassuring language.
- Assist RNs and physicians with exams, procedures and care coordination.
- Follow infection control, safety and facility protocols at all times.
What you'll bring
- Active LPN/LVN license in [state].
- Graduate of an accredited practical nursing program.
- Current CPR certification.
- Comfort with physically demanding work, including lifting and standing for long shifts.
- Clear documentation habits and attention to detail.
- Calm, clear communication with patients, families and the care team.
Nice to have
- Experience in [long-term care / home health / clinic] settings.
- IV therapy certification where state scope allows it.
- Speaks [Spanish] as well as English.
- Experience with [specific EHR system].
What we offer
- [Pay range: e.g. $X–$Y base salary, plus bonus or equity if offered]
- [Shift differentials, tuition assistance toward RN bridge programs, health insurance]
- [Health cover, retirement or pension plan, paid time off, parental leave]
- [Work authorization: whether you can sponsor a visa or hire through an employer of record]
[Our process: a phone screen, a skills and license verification, an in-person or working interview on the unit, and a reference check.]
[Your equal opportunity statement, and how candidates can ask for adjustments during the process]
Put the pay range in the ad. Several US states, including California, Colorado, New York and Washington, require it in job postings, and the EU Pay Transparency Directive gives applicants the right to know the starting pay or its range before the interview.
Licensed Practical Nurse duties by seniority
What the job usually looks like at each level. Pitch the ad at one level and say which in the title.
Junior
- Works a standard patient load with close RN oversight.
- Performs routine treatments and documentation with guidance.
- Builds speed and confidence with common procedures.
Mid-level
- Manages a full patient load independently within scope.
- Trains new LPNs and nursing assistants on unit routines.
- Takes on charge duties on some shifts in smaller facilities.
Senior
- Acts as charge nurse on a unit or shift.
- Mentors new hires and coordinates with RNs on complex cases.
- Often pursuing or holding an RN bridge credential.
Licensed Practical Nurse career path
- LPN
- Charge LPN
- RN (via bridge program)
- Unit Manager or Nurse Educator
Practical nursing programs run about a year, making LPN one of the faster paths into healthcare, often chosen after a CNA role or a career change. Many LPNs later complete an LPN-to-RN bridge program, and from there the ladder opens into charge nurse, management or specialty nursing roles.
Similar roles
- Registered Nurse job description
Holds a broader scope of practice and typically more education.
- Certified Nursing Assistant job description
Provides basic care with less clinical training and a narrower scope.
- Medical Assistant job description
Works mostly in outpatient clinics on both clinical and administrative tasks.
- Home Health Aide job description
Provides non-clinical personal care, usually in a patient's home.
Licensed Practical Nurse job description FAQ
What does a licensed practical nurse do?
Provides direct patient care under RN or physician supervision: vitals, medications, wound care and daily living assistance. LPNs are often the staff member with the most bedside time, so clear documentation and quick reporting of changes matter a lot.
What's the difference between an LPN and an RN job description?
LPN roles focus on direct care within a defined scope of practice and work under supervision. RN roles carry more clinical judgment, care planning and supervisory responsibility, and require more education.
What license should an LPN job posting require?
An active LPN or LVN license in the state where the job is located, plus CPR certification. If the role includes IV therapy, say so explicitly since that scope varies by state.