Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (Brain Injury)

Brain Injury Nurse

Provides direct service and daily nursing care in a clinically intensive program, designed to meet the needs of a unique and specialized population who have been diagnosed with a brain injury and may also have complex medical needs. Assumes overall responsibility of program for designated shift as charge nurse. Ensures that care is provided in a respectful, dignified, high quality manner. Ensures that the care provided promotes individual choices.

Responsibilities

Nursing Care

• Develops and implements person centered treatment care plans.
• Provides assistance with activities of daily living according to each individual's care plan; including, but not limited to, showering, dressing, shaving, mouth care, foot care, diabetes care, wound care, GT/JT care, trach care and nutritional support. Monitors and observes clients for any change in status.
• Performs individualized assessments with any change of status and provides skilled nursing interventions, as indicated.
• Administers medication as ordered by primary care provider.
• Administers treatments as ordered by primary care provider.
• Provides transportation and accompanies individual served to medical, dental, or any appointment, as needed.
• Ensures that nutritional needs of the individuals served are met.
• Ensures that all pharmacological, medical, nutritional supplies, and medical equipment are ordered in a timely and safe manner.
• Utilizes behavioral strategies when indicated and follows all prescribed clinical plans indicated

Supervision

• Supervises C.N.A.s during designated shift.
• Ensures that care provided is completed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensures that care provided meets all ISP goals and address the whole person, not just the person's medical needs.
• Ensures that program meets all quality control monitoring.
• Provides relevant nursing education and training to C.N.A.s, as needed

Communication

• Communicates and meets with Program Nurse Administrator, as needed.
• Maintains communication with primary care provider, family members and/or guardian and all other, significant relationships.
• Communicates effectively with other Vinfen employees, outside agencies, community agencies, and neighbors.
• Utilizes emergency and on-call system, when appropriate
• Communicates any change in status of individual served to appropriate individuals, including Program Director, primary care provider, family and/or guardian, and other outside agencies.

Documentation

• Documents nursing care and treatments as ordered by primary care provider according to Vinfen policy and procedure.
• Documents medication administration according to Vinfen policy and procedure.
• Ensures that all documentation is complete and accurate, including, but not limited to, shift notes, daily communication, treatment plans, and medical records.
• Documents incident reports, including medication errors in a timely and effective manner.
• Ensures that all documentation meet all regulatory standards and Vinfen policy and procedure.

Environment

• Ensures that environment is safe, clean, comfortable, and welcoming to individuals and families and/or guardians and other significant individuals and visitors.
• Ensures that environment meets all regulatory requirements.
• Promotes an environment that is conducive and welcoming to client's active participation in residence.
• Ensures that client's preferences and choices are respected.
• Ensures that environment meets Vinfen policy and procedures and other credentialing agencies.
• Ensures that medication and treatment supplies are stored safely.
• Maintains clients' medical equipment and supplies that include, but are not limited to, wheelchairs, walkers, Hoyer lifts, hospital beds.

Community Integration

• Ensures that individuals served are involved in community outings and events such as dances and local community events.
• Ensures that individual preferences are respected.

Advocacy/Relationships

• Advocates effectively for people served.
• Acts as liaison and collaborates effectively with other Vinfen departments (Behavioral Health, Psychiatry), outside agencies, and community providers to develop effective and working relationships.
• Attends and participates actively in developing treatment plans, ISP, and other planning meetings, as warranted.
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with individuals served, families and/or guardians and neighbors, and other significant relationships of individuals served.

Professional Development

• Acts as positive role model for colleagues and staff.
• Actively participates in trainings offered by Vinfen.
• Attends conferences and educational opportunities, as indicated.

Other

• Complies with all accreditation and licensing requirements.
• Ensures that residence meets all fire and safety requirements.
• Perform their duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience working with individuals with brain injury preferred
• Strong commitment to the rights and abilities of individuals with brain injury who have complex health issues
• Knowledge of LPN practice standards and intervention techniques
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, age, gender, and disability issues
• Skills and competency to develop supportive, trusting relationships with clients served
• Knowledge of teaching and learning modalities
• Ability to supervise and mentor C.N.A.s
• Knowledge of evidence based practices and commitment to adherence to such as appropriate
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles and supervisory techniques
• Knowledge of organizational, strategic, participatory, collaborative skills
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
• Knowledge of documentation standards requirements
• Knowledge of proper body mechanics
• Knowledge of available community health and mental health services

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit

My Vinfen. My Community. My Job.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

Typical Requirements:

One to two years supervised practical experience, including internships, in a clinical or rehabilitation setting helpful, but not required. Experience working with people with developmental and/or psychiatric disabilities and medical illnesses and other co-occurring disorders preferred.

Preferred /Required Education:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Associate's degree preferred

Driving Requirements:

Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. - If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort:

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer