Mission:

The LPN will deliver quality psychiatric nursing care to adult patients with behavioral health illnesses and substance abuse issues and serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. The LPN will administer prescribed medications and treatments to patients in accordance with policy.

Essential Function: 

• Administers all medication safely in accordance with policy and documents medication given and its effectiveness.
• Promptly notify the Shift Director or DON of Schedule II or Schedule III medication waste.
• Maintains the safety of Buprenorphine and Methadone order sheets.
• Recommends improved methods for administering medications within the limits of clinical training.
• Maintains binders for easy access to auditable information.
• Has a working knowledge of the Methasoft system.
• Completes all required assessments promptly.
• Consistently puts clients at ease regarding detox and rehabilitative treatment.
• Is vigilant and identifies potential patient problems.
• Demonstrates respect for client’s rights, as reflected in individualized care.
• Verbalizes and demonstrates proper procedures for infection control.
• Works with the unit nurses to monitor MAT clients for signs of oversedation. 
• Acts as a role model for other staff members.
• Identify physical plant problems promptly and report them to the appropriate department for correction.
• Communicate effectively to the Shift Director to resolve unit and/or staffing issues promptly.
• Assures that all controlled substances are secured at the end of the shift and the area is locked at night. 
• Treats all clients with dignity and respect.
• Consistently maintains confidentiality of client information; follows release-of-information policies and procedures.
• Uses effective verbal and non-verbal techniques to ensure positive outcomes for clients.
• Maintains attendance as defined by Kirkbride policy.
• Demonstrates Kirkbride values in all interactions.
• Promptly and correctly take and routes phone messages, answers phone promptly and courteously; provides clear, correct information to callers, visitors, and co-workers.
• Approaches co-workers assertively and respectfully; confronts problems constructively; solution-oriented.

Job Requirements:

• Graduate of an approved school of practical nursing
• Current, valid LPN license in the state of PA
• Two or more years of experience in substance or mental health nursing or community health setting
• Knowledge of abnormal psychology is typically found in the adult psychiatric population.
• Thorough familiarity with psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications within the adult psychiatric population
• Displays basic knowledge of computer management, including Microsoft and Methasoft
• Ability to interact effectively with the clinical team and other staff.
• Organizational, problem-solving and time-management skills
• Empathy for clients and their families 

Physical and Mental Job Requirements:

• Ability to exercise self-control in potentially volatile situations such as being verbally or physically confronted in a threatening or aggressive manner.
• Must be able to work and concentrate amidst distractions such as noise, conversation, and foot traffic.
• Ability to handle interruptions often and move from one task to another.
• Must be flexible and not easily frustrated in dealing with differences of opinion.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, and be able to perceive the attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, and/or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Ability to express and exchange ideas via spoken word during activities in which they must accurately convey details or important spoken instructions to others, sometimes quickly and loudly. Hearing is to perceive the nature of sound with no less than 40 db loss a Hz, 1000 Hz, or 2000 Hz with or without correction.
• Ability to perceive detailed information through communication and make fine sound discriminations.
• Individuals must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and to be able to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Work requires a minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction that will enable people in the role to complete administrative and clerical tasks and visually observe patients on the unit and in therapeutic activities.
• While a worker may possibly be subjected to temperature changes, the worker is generally not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions as the work is predominantly inside.
• Required to travel throughout the city where drug trafficking activity is prevalent.