LPN

Position Title: Licensed Practical Nurse 

Position Status: Full-Time 

Supervisor:  Director of Medical and Nursing Services 

Work location: Residential Locations 

Status: N 

Pre-Employment Requirements: 

• Drug test
• Background check – over two years since prior criminal conviction
• TB skin test:  Must have a test or provide proof of one within the past year.
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation and current automobile insurance. 
• Required:  State license as a Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse - Practical Nursing License issued by the Kentucky nursing authorities 
• CPR certification through the American Heart Association.

Position Summary: Responsible for medically assessing clients upon intake to the agency. Special level of skill required for the treatment and care of substance use disorder clients. Evaluate the needs of potential and current clients as well as administer treatments and therapies under the direction of  the Agency Physician or Psychiatrists as well as the Registered Nurse.   

Skill Sets:  

• Good judgment, decision making and problem-solving skills
• Excellent time management and ability to handle multiple projects and prioritize
• Ability to quickly learn new nursing methods and understand equipment and applications
• Knowledge of local medical care regulations
• Basic computer skills
• Clinical skills
• Infection control
• Psychological knowledge
• Administer medication, medical teamwork, listening, verbal communication, health promotion and maintenance. 
• Must be multi-faceted, able to provide structure to clients, work independently and provide non-judgmental and non-biased service to clients.  

Physical and Environmental Demands: Visual acuity and manual dexterity are needed for required paperwork. Frequent talking and hearing are required when communicating with co-workers, families, and other service providers. Physical demands are light with walking, standing, and occasional stooping. Possible exposure to communicable diseases during contact with individuals released from various locations i.e. jails, hospitals, unsanitary conditions, rehabilitation centers, etc. 

Job Responsibilities: 

1. Able to provide quality customer service to personnel, persons served, families and stakeholders.
2. Help maintain the health safety and welfare of personnel, person served and stakeholders.
3. Adhere to therapeutic standards; measure health outcomes against client care goals and standards, recommend necessary adjustments; following agency and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nursing practice act and other governing agency regulations.
4. Identifies client care requirements by establishing rapport with potential and actual clients by maintaining an open door policy. 
5. Complete daily rounding of detox clients at bedside.   
6. Follow detox protocols per organization policies and procedures. Including, but not limited to:  completing frequent face to face assessments, COWS/CIWA scales when applicable, administering ordered medication, etc.).
7. Complete phone screenings and send to appropriate team members for approval in a timely manner. 
8. Work with RN to assist in providing treatment that is appropriate for each client's individual needs.

1. Conduct face to face follow-up assessments as needed to address client concerns, triaging needs, providing appropriate treatment within scope of practice, and contacting medical provider (APRN or MD) when appropriate. 
2. Complete initial intake rapid COVID testing and report results to appropriate team members.
3. Obtain lab specimens per medical provider (APRN or MD) orders, report results to provider within a timely manner, and document results in electronic medical record.
4. Document client care services by charting client and department records.
5. Documenting client progress in daily nursing progress notes in electronic medical record.
6. Documenting communication with medical provider (APRN or MD) and new medications or treatments ordered.
7. Initiate new orders from medical provider (APRN or MD) within a timely manner.
8. Complete “Shift Report” with off-going and on-coming medical staff through email and in person communication.  
9. Assist in providing evidence-based safety and health groups, teach clients to understand their conditions, medications and self-care skills, answer questions.
10. Promote client's independence by guiding clients to proper medication management by educating clients about current and new medications.
11. Protect clients and personnel by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
12. Provide feedback and education to all clients in collaboration in collaboration with clinical and programming team.
13. Attend staff meetings and mandatory trainings per organization standards. 
14. Fill in during the absence of the RN.
15. Be responsive to on-call responsibilities.
16. Serve as a liaison for the medical provider (APRN and MD) and Pharmacy.
17. Other duties as assigned

General Standards: 

1. Exemplify Core Values
2. Follows the Ethical Code of Conduct
3. Follows the Chain of Command
4. Maintain Confidentiality of all client information.
5. Maintain a safe environment for recovery
6. Maintains all requirements for job duties to include but not limited to TB skin screening and any continuing education requirements necessary.