Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Behavioral Health

Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Behavioral Health

The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Behavioral Health is responsible for administering nursing care to ill or injured persons by assisting in caring for patients by utilizing basic understanding of psychiatric and personality disorders and giving direct care under the supervision of a registered nurse. The LVN will coordinate and deliver quality general and psychiatric nursing care to patients hospitalized for treatment of substance abuse, dual diagnosis, or psychiatric and emotional disorders. The LVN will serve actively and constructively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, supporting the organization, program, and unit philosophy of care. The LVN will ensure the safety and well-being of each patient.

Essential Functions

• Follows the direction of the RN appropriately
• Completes task in a timely manner
• Acts as a member of the nursing team
• Ensures that individual patient observation/checks are conducted
• Physician orders are transcribed and administered accurately
• Medications are administered safely and accurately with demonstrated knowledge of indications and side effects
• Documentation adequately reflects acuity (physical and emotional status)
• Response to interventions and progress toward goals
• Communicate patient's response to interventions to Interdisciplinary Treatment Team and daily report
• Will interact with patients and groups of patients to enhance communication and delivery of quality care
• Orient patient/family to program
• Explain and enforce patient rights and act as the patient's advocate and assure that patient rights are upheld; able to preserve confidentiality
• Ensure completion and monitoring of detox protocol
• Will monitor patient for change of condition and respond accordingly up to and including notification of the physician
• Will follow hospital policy for medication administration
• Will deliver quality nursing care to ensure that goals of the treatment plan are properly executed following hospital policies and procedures and demonstrated nursing competencies
• May be required to perform other duties responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

Additional Information

• Reports to: Nurse Manager or Chief Nursing Officer
• FLSA Status: none exempt
• Previous experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience working with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric and geriatric patients preferred. Experience in patient assessments, family motivations, treatment planning and communication with external review organizations or comparable entities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Education: Graduate from an accredited LVN/LPN program required.

License: Current LVN/LPN license as required by state regulations.

Certifications: CPR and De-escalation certification required or obtain within 30 days of hire.