Licensed Practical Nurse

JOB SUMMARY

The LPN, under the guidance of the Clinical Director is responsible for nursing duties Canal Pointe. This individual will complete nursing screenings and nursing assessments for pregnant and parenting mothers, and their dependent children, residing at the residential center. This individual will enter all resident medications into their Electronic Health Record (EHR) and facilitate the self-administration of prescribed and over-the-counter medications while maintaining accurate records. This individual will provide medical care coordination for all residents, including support with scheduling needed medical, behavioral health, dental and other required appointments. This individual will conduct groups for residents relevant to health and wellness. This individual will ensure residents complete urine drug screens (UDS) and breathalyzer (BAC) tests per program policy. 

As the residential center opens, the LPN must be flexible and support the team in successful launch and scaling of services. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct screenings for community members seeking admission to the program, ensuring any withdrawal symptoms are manageable within American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 3.5, 3.3 or 3.1 levels of care.
• Upon admissions of residents to the program, complete nursing assessments within 72 hours of admission, including accurate entry of all allergies and medications prescribed to resident into the EHR and on Narcotic Count, Active Medication & MedCall Paper Forms in the Medication Binder. 
• Maintain Medication Binders, preparing and completing Narcotic Counts, Active Medication and MedCall Paper Forms each shift. Upload completed paper forms within 1 business day to the EHR of correct resident. Ensure adequate MedCall Paper forms are prepared fully, accurately, and enough paper forms are present in Medication Binder for each MedCall without nursing staff present. 
• Observe and document the self-administration of prescribed and over-the-counter medications during med calls for residents. Ensure residents requesting over the counter (OTC) medications on a regular basis obtain written doctor’s note or request is denied. 
• Observe other Canal Pointe staff conducting MedCalls, to ensure quality service provision and document outcomes, returning observation forms within 1 business day and escalating concerns to the Clinical Director as appropriate. 
• Complete care coordination for all residents relevant to medical and behavioral health needs, including but not limited to primary care, pediatrics, psychiatry, dental, vision, and pharmacy.
• Work closely with the Care & Transition Coordinator to ensure all residents have clear discharge plans in which relevant medical and behavioral health needs are addressed to ensure continuity of care after exit from the program. 
• Provide and document provision of basic nursing care, such as obtain vitals, providing first aid, and attending to medical needs within scope of license. Assist residents in accessing higher levels of care in a timely manner based on urgency and as medically appropriate. 
• Provide information on health and wellness topics on an individual basis and in weekly Wellness Groups.
• Utilize concurrent documentation and record accurate information in the EHR of each resident within 1 business day. Ensure documentation is completed in compliance with all accreditation and funding source requirements.
• Schedule, conduct and document UDS and BACs based on level of care, established guidelines and upon request by the Clinical Director, Child & Family Specialist and/or Assistant Vice President of Integrated & Behavioral Health. 
• Ensure chain of custody of UDS samples, including shipping to laboratory. Enter laboratory-verified UDS results into the EHR of residents within established deadline. 
• Complete weekly medication inventories to ensure medication compliance by residents. Escalate concerns to the residents’ counselor and Clinical Director. Provide care coordination duties as needed to support residents in addressing concerns with prescribed and/or OTC medications. 
• Complete temperature monitoring on all nursing refrigerators, ensuring temperatures outside of safe range are addressed immediately. 
• Conduct monthly inventory, reporting and ordering of Louisiana Department of Health Overdose Prevention and Response Hub supplies by established deadline. 
• Facilitate ordering of needed nursing supplies within established budget, including urine drug screen cups, over-the-counter medications, and other supplies as needed. 
• Responsible for ensuring that all policies, procedures and practices of VOASELA are met.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Non-essential)

The LPN schedules available include: Full-time LPN Monday - Friday 6a-2:30p; full-time evening LPN Monday - Friday 2-10:30p; part time weekend LPN Saturday - Sunday 6a-1p; part-time evening weekend LPN Saturday - Sunday 5-9p.

• Create and maintain a recovery-oriented environment based on the principles of Therapeutic Communities. 
• Provides support to all program activities, including Child Watch. 
• Adhere to the designated dress code as stipulated for the specific role.
• VOASELA maintains an alcohol and drug-free workplace, with a workforce free of substance use. 

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

• None

KEY CONTACTS

Maintains critical relationships with the following:

• Residents’ medical and behavioral health prescribers and providers. 
• Residents’ pharmacies. 
• Community-based referral options for residents. 
• Louisiana Department of Health Overdose Prevention and Response Hub.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

This position requires knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent to:

• (Required) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in good standing with the Nursing Board of Louisiana.
• (Preferred) Extensive knowledge of substance use disorders, Medication Assisted Treatment, and harm reduction principles. 
• (Preferred) Extensive knowledge of the substance uses disorder continuum of care available in the Greater New Orleans area.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Expertise within Electronic Health Systems.
• Ability to interact with staff at all levels in a respectful manner, remaining flexible, proactive, and task oriented. 
• Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, accuracy, flexibility, reliability, and prioritizing skills.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

• Must be able to pass a criminal history investigation (not all convictions will exclude candidates from being hired).
• Must pass drug screening tests as required by agency’s policies and procedures.
• Must complete tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to employment and be free from Tuberculosis (TB) in a communicable state via skin testing (or chest exam if recommended by physician).
• Must be able to maintain First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and seizure assessment training.

• This position provides services in office. 
• Nursing operations occur on a daily basis, including holidays.
• This position is responsible for enactment of the agency and program’s Emergency Operations Plan during emergencies, such as hurricanes or inclement weather, which may require evacuation and/or shelter in place with residents and staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed in an office environment while seated at a desk or standing in the nursing station. Dexterity is used while performing work with personal computer keyboard, calculator and other office equipment. Driving to local (occasionally) and some state-wide (rarely) functions. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.