Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (Developmental Disabilities)

LPN II

The LPN II provides direct service and daily nursing care in a medically intensive program, designed to meet the needs of a unique and specialized population who have been diagnosed with a brain injury, developmental delay, or intellectual disability and have complex medical needs. Assumes overall responsibility of the program for designated shifts as lead staff/nurse. Ensures that care is provided in a respectful, dignified, high quality manner. Ensures that the care provided promotes individual choices.

General Responsibilities

• Implements person centered treatment care plans thoroughly in accordance with medical orders.
• Provides assistance with activities of daily living according to each individual's plan; including, but not limited to, showering, dressing, shaving, mouth care, foot care, and diabetes care.
• Ensures the completion of all skilled nursing care needs of individuals served, including wound care, GT/JT care, trach care and nutritional support.
• Monitors and observes clients for any change in status. Reports all issues in a timely manner to the PD, SPD (if needed), and Program Nurse.
• Ensures that all the individual's care is completed using best practice and providing the person with dignity and choice.
• Ensures that ADLs are performed, and assistive devices are in working order and available and ready for use.
• Performs individualized assessments with any change of status and provides skilled nursing interventions, as indicated.
• Administers medication as ordered by Health Care Providers.
• Administers treatments as ordered by Health Care Providers.
• 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 quickly and safely. Reports if any supplies are running low to PD and Program Nurse (if applicable).
• Utilizes behavioral strategies when indicated and follows all prescribed clinical plans indicated.

Supervision

• Clinically supervises C.N.A.s during designated shift. Provides training as needed.
• Ensures that care provided is completed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ensures that care provided meets all ISP goals and addresses 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 Staff/C.N.A.s, as needed.

Communication

• Communicates and meets with RN Manager, 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 systems, when appropriate.
• Communicates any change in status of individual served to Program Director, RN Manager, Health 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, following MAP standards.
• Ensures that all documentation is complete and accurate, including, but not limited to, shift notes, daily communication, treatment protocol data, medication administration sign offs and the countable controlled substance book for each individual. This includes review of CNA's and direct care staff medical documentation.
• Documents incident reports, including medication errors and drug losses in a timely and effective manner, according to MAP standards.
• Ensures that all documentation meets all regulatory standards and Vinfen policy and procedure.

Environment

• Ensures that the environment is safe, clean, comfortable, and welcoming to individuals and families and/or guardians and other significant individuals and visitors.
• Ensures that the 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, and hospital beds.

Community Integration

• Ensures that individuals served are involved in community outings and events that are meaningful to them.
• 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 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 training 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

• Experience working with individuals with developmental, intellectual disabilities or brain injury preferred.
• Strong commitment to the rights and abilities of individuals 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 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

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, medical illnesses and other co-occurring disorders are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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