LPN (Brain Injury)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you will assist adults with brain injury or behavioral conditions by assessing each individual's physical health needs and providing person centered clinical care.

You will work in a small, comfortable residential setting that is tailored to meet the needs of a unique specialized population who have brain injuries, intellectual and developmental disabilities or other complex health needs. Each program maintains low ratios to allow you to develop relationships with the people we serve, their families, friends and other support staff in the program.

LPN duties include providing nursing care, administering medication under the Medication Administration Plan (MAP) guidelines, and assisting individuals to become a part of their communities. Your work in this role will help individuals overcome barriers and achieve a higher quality of life.

Additionally, the LPN will communicate any change in status to appropriate individuals, perform individual assessments with any change of status, and provide skilled nursing interventions as indicated.

Responsibilities

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

Nursing Care Develops and implements person centered treatment care plans. Provides assistance with activities of daily living according to each individual's care plan; including, but not limited to, showering, dressing, shaving, mouth care, foot care, diabetes care, wound care, GT/JT care, trach care and nutritional support. Monitors and observes clients for any change in status. Performs individualized assessments with any change of status and provides skilled nursing interventions, as indicated. Administers medication as ordered by primary care provider. Administers treatments as ordered by primary care provider. 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 in a timely and safe manner. Utilizes behavioral strategies when indicated and follows all prescribed clinical plans indicated.

Supervision Supervises C.N.A.s during designated shift. Ensures that care provided is completed in a timely and accurate manner. Ensures that care provided meets all ISP goals and address 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 C.N.A.s, as needed.

Communication Communicates and meets with Program Nurse Administrator, 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 system, when appropriate Communicates any change in status of individual served to appropriate individuals, including Program Director, primary 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. Ensures that all documentation is complete and accurate, including, but not limited to, shift notes, daily communication, treatment plans, and medical records. Documents incident reports, including medication errors in a timely and effective manner. Ensures that all documentation meet all regulatory standards and Vinfen policy and procedure.

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

Community Integration Ensures that individuals served are involved in community outings and events such as dances and local community events. 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 and 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 trainings 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. Perform their duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills: Experience working with individuals with brain injury preferred Strong commitment to the rights and abilities of individuals with brain injury 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 and medical illnesses and other co-occurring disorders preferred.

Preference given to bilingual/bi-cultural applicants and applicants with lived experience.

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. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort: Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.

Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.

Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.

Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.

Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.

Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications: CPR required within two weeks of hireSafety Care required within 90 days of hire