LPN Nurse

Position Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the day-to-day medical needs of youth residing within the residential treatment program. This position ensures the safe administration and management of medications, promotes preventative healthcare through routine wellness monitoring, coordinates medical services, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary treatment team to support each youth's physical health and overall well-being. The LPN serves as a clinical resource to direct care staff while ensuring compliance with licensing standards, physician orders, medication regulations, and agency policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Medication Management

• Administer medications in accordance with physician orders, agency policies, and applicable state regulations.
• Maintain accurate Medication Administration Records (MARs).
• Complete medication inventories, reconciliation, and documentation during medication deliveries and shift changes.
• Monitor medication effectiveness, side effects, and adverse reactions, notifying providers as appropriate.
• Ensure medications are stored, secured, and disposed of according to regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate prescription refills and communicate with pharmacies to prevent interruptions in medication availability.

Health Monitoring and Nursing Care

• Conduct monthly wellness assessments for each youth, including:

• Vital signs
• Weight (when applicable)
• General health status
• Review of medical concerns
• Follow-up on chronic medical conditions

• Identification of specialty care needs

• Assess youth for acute illnesses or injuries and provide appropriate nursing interventions within scope of practice.
• Monitor youth with chronic medical conditions and ensure physician recommendations are implemented.
• Provide health education to youth regarding medications, nutrition, hygiene, and healthy lifestyle habits.

Medical Care Coordination

• Schedule and coordinate routine, specialty, dental, vision, behavioral health, and emergency medical appointments.
• Transport youth to medical appointments as needed.
• Review provider documentation following appointments.
• Implement physician recommendations and ensure all follow-up care is completed.
• Track referrals, diagnostic testing, laboratory work, immunizations, and specialty consultations.
• Maintain complete and organized medical records for each youth.

Treatment Planning

• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Provide medical updates during treatment plan reviews and staffings.
• Develop and monitor medical treatment goals for youth with chronic illnesses, developmental disorders, or ongoing healthcare needs.
• Collaborate with therapists, case managers, psychiatrists, and direct care staff to integrate healthcare needs into overall treatment planning.

Incident Review and Clinical Oversight

• Review all critical incidents involving:

• Self-harm
• Suicide attempts or threats

• Physical aggression
• Injuries
• Restraints
• Medical emergencies

• Verify that pain assessments are completed accurately and timely.
• Ensure appropriate medical follow-up occurs following incidents.
• Identify trends and recommend interventions to improve youth health and safety.
• Communicate significant medical concerns to leadership and treatment team members.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain timely, accurate, and legally defensible documentation.
• Ensure compliance with state licensing regulations, Medicaid requirements, accreditation standards, and agency policies.
• Assist with audits related to medication administration and healthcare services.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and agency standards.

Staff Support and Training

• Serve as a medical resource for residential staff.
• Educate staff on medication administration procedures, common health conditions, infection prevention, and emergency medical protocols.
• Assist in developing healthcare-related policies and procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety and quality healthcare throughout the residential program.

Core Competencies

To successfully perform the responsibilities of this position, the Licensed Practical Nurse must consistently demonstrate competency in the following areas:

Medication Administration

Safely administers medications while maintaining accurate documentation, monitoring effectiveness, preventing medication errors, and ensuring compliance with physician orders and regulatory standards.

Clinical Assessment

Performs routine nursing assessments, identifies changes in health status, recognizes potential medical concerns, and initiates appropriate interventions or referrals.

Care Coordination

Effectively coordinates medical appointments, specialty care, follow-up services, and communication between healthcare providers, families, and treatment teams.

Youth-Centered Care

Provides compassionate, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate nursing care that supports each youth's physical and emotional well-being.

Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment

Applies sound nursing judgment when evaluating symptoms, reviewing incidents, assessing medical concerns, and determining appropriate follow-up actions.

Documentation Excellence

Maintains complete, accurate, objective, and timely documentation that meets legal, clinical, and regulatory requirements.

Collaboration

Works effectively with physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, residential staff, families, pharmacies, and community healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.

Professionalism

Demonstrates integrity, accountability, reliability, ethical practice, confidentiality, and adherence to professional nursing standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Indiana.

• Graduate of an accredited Practical Nursing program.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to pass required background checks and drug screening.
• Experience working with children, adolescents, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, or residential treatment preferred.
• Knowledge of medication administration, infection control, and chronic disease management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in residential treatment, psychiatric, pediatric, developmental disability, or behavioral health settings.
• Experience with electronic medical records.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles.
• Familiarity with Medicaid documentation requirements and residential licensing regulations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and assist youth as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely transport youth to appointments.
• Ability to respond quickly during medical emergencies or behavioral crises.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and electronic health record systems.

Work Environment

This position is performed primarily within a residential treatment facility serving youth with behavioral health, developmental, and emotional needs. The LPN may be exposed to behavioral crises, infectious illnesses, and emergency medical situations requiring prompt clinical response. Regular travel to community medical appointments is required.