This position will be in an inpatient psychiatric residential facility for youth ages 7-12 who have acute mental health needs and come to us for treatment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under general supervision and working with medical and psychiatric consultants, the Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for administering a system of health services delivery for emotionally and/or mentally ill youth receiving treatment and rehabilitative services. This position will work with clinical and case management staff to coordinate care and assist in treatment plans for clients.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with current Idaho licensure with commensurate experience in related field preferred.
• Nursing in psychiatric or pediatric inpatient unit with exposure to troubled adolescents or children.
• Minimum of 19 years of age.
• Valid state issued driver’s license.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States and provide verification.
• Able to pass required Background Checks.
• Able to complete and maintain all training requirements per agency policy and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Background in health assessment skills such as doctor’s office or public health preferred.
• Specialized education or experience working with mental health patients.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Ability to assess and treat simple and complex psychiatric and mental health problems from adjustment disorders to serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar illness, major depression and anxiety disorders.
• Strong skills to manage, coordinate and evaluate the care and education of the client and family along the health care process.
• Ability to manage and support clients who need to be closely monitored.
• Trained to adhere to medications and therapies with complex protocols.
• Expertise in operating medical equipment & ability to be trained in required technology, processes and equipment.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• On-call duty required (must be available to work on short notice).
• Have an understanding and respect for children and their needs and the child's family and culture.
• Be physically and emotionally suited to provide services to unrelated children and the problems they present.
• Capable of performing activities related to the job.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (for illustrative purposes)

1. Understands psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.

2. Consults with multidisciplinary team members in designing appropriate treatment plans for clients.

3. Assesses client’s mental and physical status based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.

4. Documents client’s medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions and outcomes.

5. Dispenses medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.

6. Administers treatments and medications prescribed to clients in a psychiatric treatment facility.

7. Ensure hygiene and cleanliness of facility and medical/treatment supplies and equipment.

8. Perform physical restraints if and when necessary and only in accordance with applicable law and policy.

9. Monitors client’s medication usage and results.

10. Evaluates client’s behavior to formulate diagnoses or assess treatments.

11. Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to help educate clients and family members about mental health and treatment plans.

12. Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to develop, implement and evaluate treatment plans.

13. Assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and clients.

14. Maintains client confidentiality.

15. Creates and maintains accurate records and documentation of client treatments, immunizations and laboratory results according to standard medical recordkeeping.

16. Performs administrative assignments such as filing, answering phones, data entry and completing progress notes in the computer system.

17. Adhere to all agency policies and procedures and applicable laws.

18. Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor or mandated by agency policy and procedures.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Ability to withstand physical and emotional demands associated with performing clinical duties.

2. Requires long hours of remaining in a stationary position (i.e., data entry and record keeping), but also requires frequent moving about in association with providing care to clients and performing other job responsibilities (cleaning, filing, etc.)

3. Extended periods of data entry in a stationary position.

4. Occasional moving of heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) in training and recreation.

5. Performing physical intervention duties and restraints on clients.

6. Requires the ability to work at a desk for long periods of time.

7. Frequent moving and positioning self to complete tasks.

8. Ability to operate and utilize objects, tools, equipment, supplies, and controls.

9. Must be able to effectively communicate with clients, co-workers, and other third parties in person, in writing, and remotely and must be able to use technology to review information and enter/retrieve data.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Trainings, meetings and other duties occasionally occurring in various buildings on agency property.

2. Treatment of clients with various mental and physical conditions, including clients who could potentially be carrying an infectious or communicable virus, pathogen or disease.

3. Operation and use of medical protective wear, equipment and supplies, including needles.

4. Dispersing and administering medications and prescription drugs.

5. Administering treatment to clients in a psychiatric treatment facility setting.

6. Ensuring proper cleaning and sanitization that may involve the use of chemicals.

7. Work completed primarily indoors.

8. Interaction with clients requires adaptability when confronted with emergency, critical, unusual or potentially dangerous situations.

9. Treating clients and their families who may act out physically, verbally, or otherwise.

The requirements and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

Northwest Children's Home, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.