Licensed Practical Nurse III - Float Clinic - CMHHIP

Licensed Practical Nurse III - Float Clinic - Full Time

This posting may be used to fill multiple units. About the position:

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN): The purpose of this position is to provide direct nursing care services to patients. Duties include but are not limited to providing for patient comfort and safety, observing patient conditions and documenting response to medication and treatment, providing preventative and clinical practical nursing services, administering authorized medications and treatment, and participating in implementing patient care plans. Licensed practical nurses provide care for patients with acute, chronic, and preventative physical and mental health care needs. Licensed practical nurses (LPN) work in security settings where the position follows policies and procedures to ensure their own safety and that of others.

Duties in this position include:

• Works in conjunction with internal and external providers to meet the demands of patient care during medical and specialty clinics scheduled on a daily/weekly basis.
• Anticipates provider clinic needs in advance of patient appointments to ensure clinics run smoothly.
• Reviews and collects medical and legal information related to patient admissions to the hospital in advance of patient arrival.
• Ensures patient education, acute patient needs, and continuity of care are documented according to hospital policy.
• Must work in direct collaboration with medical providers and admissions personnel to collect and share information and to ensure nursing reviews comply with nursing standards of care.
• Routinely checks equipment and reports any malfunction of equipment and or potential hazards to the Clinic Supervisor.
• Helps to maintain inventory and ensures supplies are not outdated.
• Maintains a safe and therapeutic treatment area by surveying the environment for safe, secure delivery of patient care.
• Counsels and educates patients on medications, physical care needs, and psychiatric care needs in collaboration with providers.
• Communicates providers' ordered treatments and other care that was provided in the clinic to unit staff and others as needed. Ensures nursing standards of care and hospital policies/procedures are followed in the Clinic and Admissions.
• Participates in scheduled shift emergency drills (Code 0 and fire) periodically to assess and maintain the readiness of nursing staff to respond to crisis events.
• Maintains a level of proficiency by renewing CPR and other mandatory clinical training as required.
• Tracks, trends, and follows up on immunizations and administers TB testing for employee health related to CDHS and Contract staff as appropriate.
• Rotates among each area of the clinics, both High Security Forensic Institute (HSFI) and Admissions/Surgical Clinics, as assigned by the supervisor.
• Maintains proficiency and understands all clinic operations regardless of location to assure maximum efficiency at any given time.
• Communicate with clinic scheduling staff and transport staff to ensure emergent evaluations and follow-up appointments are scheduled appropriately.
• Completes all mandatory educational requirements in Cornerstone, maintains current competencies as an LPN III, and participates in the annual Nursing Competency Fair both as a participant and as an instructor.
• Covers other shifts/days or CMHHIP locations to ensure the clinic and hospital are staffed during all hours of operations.

Communication and Continuity of Care:

• Maintains open lines of communication with providers, unit staff, and clinic nursing staff, and members of other departments.
• Effectively communicates relevant information related to clinic operations, patient status, and scheduling with coworkers, supervisors, and customers to ensure the effectiveness of the department.
• Collaborates with the Clinic Supervisor and the Department of Public Safety and Transport staff to ensure the transport of high-security patients.
• Assists in providing patient and peer education, orientation, and training utilizing adult learning methods.
• Communicates with the supervisor regarding any problems, concerns, or changes related to the provision of patient care in the Clinic/ECT Recovery Room.
• Ensures HIPAA and JC compliance on an ongoing basis.

On-Unit Patient Nursing Care:

• This position is utilized to provide coverage on the shift/unit.
• This position is responsible for the nursing care provided on the assigned shift of a unit and the maintenance of a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment.
• This position is responsible for the direction of unit nursing staff on the assigned shift. This includes promptly responding to patient psychiatric and/or medical issues, implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Support modalities, and understanding and promoting its principles.
• This position implements, audits, and reviews nursing care provided on the shift/unit. This is accomplished by providing follow-up for proper nursing care; ie, documentation for seclusion and/or restraint monitoring, proper procedure for respiratory services, oxygen and oxygen equipment, and laboratory services after hours.
• Follows and maintains infection control standards and regulations.
• This position is expected to fulfill duties within the LPN scope of practice to include following the nursing process, administering medications and treatments, facilitating Nursing Core Groups and emergency response.
• Ensures a safe milieu for patient treatment and staff safety

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Responsible for performance of assigned tasks and duties within the scope of practice for this position that do not fall within the realm of duty statements.