SUMMARY

The primary function of the Licensed Practical Nurse is performing nursing activities, supports, care and treatment to children and adolescents in accordance with the policies of Georgia Community Support and Solutions, Inc (GCSS) dba InCommunity and the State of Georgia Nursing Licensing Bureau.

The LPN services are provided in a three bed short term crisis home for children with autism spectrum disorders, in a family home or other community location. Children and Adolescents being served will have a diagnosis of I/DD and co-occuring psychiatric symptoms. The Licensed Practical Nurse will be expected to work closely with an interdisciplinary team (BCBA, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, etc), related service providers, families and other agencies as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the lead staff of the home
• Responsible for the management of the unit
• Ensure the unit is clean and equipment is in good working condition
• Coordinate nursing care for individuals
• Contact doctor as needed to report, clarify or discuss issues.
• Completing entire shift as assigned and being properly relieved by the oncoming nurse, including getting report and counting and signing off on narcotics.
• Provide skilled nursing care, complete health assessments and evaluations as required
• Administer and supervise the administration of medication
• Ensure that the daily activity schedule is followed and that there is structured activity (skills trainng and education) occurring in the home
• Perform medication management functions
• Responsible for the daily management of the unit during assigned shift
• Promptly reports to Registered Nurse and family of changes in the individual’s condition
• Ensure the unit is clean and equipment is in good working condition
• Coordinate nursing care for individuals
• Contact RN and doctor as needed to report, clarify or discuss issues.
• Review doctor’s orders
• Supervise and direct the activities of direct care staff and RBTs and agency staff
• Ensure that the client is in a safe and productive environment at all times
• Problem-solve issues and concerns as they arise in the home to ensure that the individuals’ needs are being met according to best practice
• Communicate with pharmacy to order medications for individuals as needed
• Ensure that monitoring of medications for individuals receiving services and assist staff with medication issues
• Participate in staff meetings of crisis home staff
• Meet with the Registered Nurse on a routine basis to discuss and resolve current issues
• Assists with the interviewing, hiring and training employees for the crisis homes
• Assist with performance appraisals and disciplinary actions
• Review direct care staff progress notes and discuss with the appropriate staff member any discrepancies notes on the record (i.e. lack of documentation, inappropriate restrictions or lack of appropriate consequences; situations in which the current behavior program or treatment approach were not followed appropriately; check each report to ensure that time, date, signatures are correct
• Maintain highly organized, consistent, thorough and systematic recordkeeping practices
• Review and audit direct care staff records to ensure compliance
• Provide consultation regarding crisis intervention and critical incident supports
• Complete incident reports within 24 hours of incident, as required
• Monitor house funds, i.e. making funds available for recreational events, document individual spending of funds, collect receipts and follow GCSS administrative finance procedures and policies
• Follow the weekly/monthly menu with individual assistance;
• Collaborate with Registered Nurse, Program Manager, Case Manager and Director of Clinical & Crisis Support Services to ensure the homes are managed well and run efficiently and in accordance to all applicable Rules and Regulations
• Participate in professional growth activites such as conferences, classes, team meetings and program visitations
• Accept all other responsibilities and duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills - Pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Emotional Intelligence: The employee must demonstrate and maintain emotional intelligence as a supportive team member performing all the essential functions and duties of the position while managing the stresses associated with personal domestic life and those stresses associated with serving individuals with disabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be willing to flex schedule accordingly to provide services, supports, care and treatment to individuals/caregivers as required, such as 24/7 on call availability. Must have physical stamina to sustain occasional intense periods of activity and stress. Must be able to lift 50 pounds or more. Must be willing to travel independently in rural/remote locations.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Graduated from an accredited School of Nursing
• A minimum of at least two(2) years experience serving individuals with developmental disabilities.
• A minimum of three years recent experience working with individuals who have autism spectrum disorders and their families

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position directly supervises the activities of the Direct Support Professional and Registered Behavioral Technicians and agency staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Current Georgia LPN

Valid Georgia Driver’s license and auto insurance

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, ability to write and effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, individuals, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

This position has been designated as sensitive and requires a criminal background check. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check. This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E-Verify check.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Georgia Community Support & Solutions dba InCommunity management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational