What are the responsibilities and job description for the Licensed Practical Nurse position at Bradford Health Services?
LPN
Job Purpose:
Provides direct and indirect patient care services that meet the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of patient care. Meets the communication needs of patient and family. Knowledgeable of a
wide range of disorders; cognitive, emotional, developmental, social and behavioral. Provides care that reflects initiative and responsibility indicative of professional expectations, under the supervision of a
registered nurse. Performs crisis intervention. Participates in performance improvement activities.
Competencies:
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible and organized; functions well during stressful and/or emergency situations. Ability to maintain control and respond calmly and appropriately in a
crisis situation.
• Maintains staff, patient, alumni, and family confidentiality at all times and adheres to HIPAA regulations.
• Demonstrates the ability, under the direct supervision of an RN, to perform nursing assessments on all patients of all ages and reassessments as per policy.
• Able to define and classify common chemicals of dependency. Able to identify substances prevalent to a specific age group and culture.
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications, including psychotropic drugs, and their correct administration based on the patient’s age and clinical condition.
• Able to accurately administer medications as ordered.
• Able to recognize signs and symptoms of withdrawal and intoxication from different substances.
• Able to recognize potential dual diagnosis. Demonstrates knowledge of non-chemical measures to alleviate sign and symptoms of withdrawal.
• Demonstrates ability to perform waived testing.
• Demonstrates ability to perform treatments and provide services to level of licensure.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the disease concept of addiction and has a basic understanding of steps 1-4 of the 12 Step program
• Understands compliance as it relates to the facilities licensing entities.
• Able to open interdisciplinary treatment plan for patients, including Axis III diagnosis, obtain patient signature, and complete treatment plan updates.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the facility’s history, mission, services, and organizational structure.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
• Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for the patient’s age and clinical condition.
• Adequately assesses and reassesses pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.
• Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Continuously observes patient’s behavior, mental status and activities.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to team leader, co-workers and physicians. Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments. Consults
other departments, as appropriate, to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
• Responds to the patient in an appropriate way in distressful situations. Demonstrates the ability to perform appropriate crisis modalities for patient behavior that requires redirecting,
including those who wish to leave treatment against medical advice.
• Follows the five (5) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Formulates and implements patient treatment plans; family is included when appropriate.
• Demonstrates ability to revise the treatment plan as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluate overall plan daily for effectiveness.
• Efficiently performs waived testing as required.
• Accurately transcribes doctors orders; completes lab requisitions and collects urine for toxicology. Orders medications from pharmacy; fax admission orders to pharmacy, orders
schedule II medications, and completes pharmacology test.
• Signs out controlled substances, documents and reports effects of scheduled and PRN medications. Completes narcotic count with proper documentation.
• Provides nursing care appropriate to the mental and physical condition of the patient.
• Ensures documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Functions as a patient and family advocate at all times. Treats patients and families with respect and dignity; provides emotional support. Provides education to the patient and family
concerning treatment plans, compliance with the treatment plan, medications and their side effects.
• Assists with research studies conducted in the department.
• Coordinates and supervises patient care under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Performs anatomical assessments in a timely manner.
• Participates in the unit’s performance improvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the LPN scope of practice.
Qualifications:
Must have a current LPN licensure in the State of Florida. Must have strong interpersonal skills and be
proficient in delivering great patient care. Experience in behavioral health or chemical dependency is
strongly preferred.
Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations relating to substance abuse programs and knowledge
of Joint Commission and DCF requirements is preferred. Experience and proficiency in Electronic
Medical Records (EMR) is strongly preferred.