Behavioral Health LPN

Job Description

Job Description

Position: License Practical Nurse (LPN)

Status: Full Time (Nights) and PRN (All Shifts) Available

Position Summary:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct patient care and supports the nursing team in delivery safe, effective, and compassionate behavioral health services. Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), the LPN is responsible for monitoring patients' physical and mental health status, administering medications and treatments, assisting with daily living activities, and promoting a therapeutic environment. The LPN collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure individualized care plans are implemented and patient care needs are met while maintaining compliance with hospital policies, regulatory standards, and best practices in behavioral health care.

Essential Functions

• Administer medications as ordered by the Medical Staff utilizing established medication administration policy and procedures. Follow all protocols, medical orders, and assist the RN in providing medical care, procedures, and/or treatment for patients. Take vital signs per medication regulations, and report medication variations/errors.

• Attend beginning of shift change report communicating to all members of the team regarding patient care, medications, updates, training matters, and/or anything else related to patient care.

• Assist with requisitioning, documenting, completing, and obtaining results for labs, EKGs, or other tests as ordered for the patient by the Medical Staff.

• Assist in setting up appointments, consultations, and ensuring the patients attend their off-ground appointments, on-site medical clinic appointments, and/or other off-campus trips.

• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary treatment team meetings & provides input regarding patient response to medication and other observations.

• Participate in the treatment planning process, initiating plans of care for all medications with which the patient is being treated. Checks treatment plans to update, add, and sign off on interventions as needed.

• Obtain patient consent on the Medication Informed Consent Form after educating the patient about his/her medications. 

• Perform body audits on patients as directed by unit RN Charge Nurse including but not limited to; time of admission, off-grounds visits, and before discharge ensuring to document the results on the body audit form.

• Check, clean, and document: emergency carts; controlled drugs; sharps; glucometer logs; and refrigerator temps.

• Perform Nursing Education Group and document on a Multidisciplinary Group Note in each patient’s record, including those who did not attend.

• All other duties as assigned including but not limited to: relieving MHTs for lunch and/or break doing the duties they are assigned to regarding patient care and observation; assisting with the milieu as needed and in high acuity situations; Noting and scanning orders, answering phones, completing nursing documents/forms, chart checks and other clerical duties.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduate of an accredited school/college of nursing.

Experience: At least one (1) year of experience in Psychiatric or Behavioral Health and/or in the medical field preferred.

Licensure/Certification: Currently licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Louisiana. American Heart Association BLS (AHA BLS) and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification. Successful candidates who do not have current AHA BLS or CPI certification will be required to attend company-provided classes during the week of orientation.

HIPAA: Has access to and adds information to the Medical Record. May only access medical record of assigned patients.

Northlake Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for all employment; free from discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preferences, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.