Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse

Beacon is a successful and national behavioral health company providing residential-based services and supports to children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Severe Mental Illness, Autism, and high-acuity behaviors.

The Licensed Practical Nurse partners with the Director of Nursing to oversee the care of the individuals ensuring the best practice and care of the individuals served. This role fosters a "One Team" approach, ensuring collaboration among medical, clinical, and operations teams to achieve the highest quality of care and support. Key responsibilities include travelling to homes, providing the highest quality of care to include medication management, medical treatment needs, education, and providing support to the Direct Service Providers.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Daily follow-up to monitor all resident health concerns and regular in person follow up at assigned sites.
• Administration of medications and vaccinations as requested by the health care provider.
• Complete nursing assessments, diabetic foot assessments, AIMs and ensure Health Care Appraisals (HCAs) are complete.
• Coordination of care to ensure continuity of care including but not limited to, follow through with verbal and written orders or medication changes, monitoring for drug interactions and side effects, administering injections per physician order, hospital admission and discharge follow up, and follow up on other scheduled appointments related to individual's care.
• Routinely reviews medication counts, and medication orders in accordance with level of health care needs.
• Assists with coordination of resident psychiatric, medical, dental, and optical appointments as needed.
• Is an integral member of the care team and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings when scheduled. Proactively works with an interdisciplinary team to overcome barriers to care such as but not limited to, treatment or medication refusal.
• Performs DMA and medical skills hands-on training when applicable.
• Participate in medical on-call rotation.
• Assists with development and revisions of medical policies and procedures.
• Assists in the destruction of controlled substances as outlined by DEA guidelines.
• Responsible for triaging medical concerns.
• Audits the use of EHR and EMAR programs.
• Educates staff and individuals served regarding infection prevention, physical health, medication management, and medical skills including use of medical equipment.
• Acts as a health care liaison and is responsive to families and guardians when health related questions / concerns arise.
• When needed, provide input/data/summaries as part of the Infection Control Plan.
• Participate in the influenza campaign and provide data where requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
• Adheres to BSLS Core Values, Mission Statement, and Corporate Philosophies.

Education and qualifications include:

• Valid LPN license in the state of licensure with a minimum of 2 years' previous experience.
• Maintains own mandatory training and certification requirements.
• Must pass criminal background check
• Must possess a valid Driver's License.
• Proficient in speaking, reading and writing the English language.
• Approved by state, federal and government entities to work within BSLS programs.
• Ability to use office equipment, including BSLS information technology systems.

Skills and abilities include:

• General knowledge of nursing and healthcare terminology.
• Proven capability of communicating with multiple disciplines.
• Proven ability to deescalate difficult situations.
• Proven ability to be able to provide care as needed.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficient in speaking, reading and writing the English language required.

Work environment may include potential for exposure to infectious disease and physical and verbally aggressive behaviors. Universal precautions are required to minimize the risk of infections. Work sites may include locations that are not barrier-free. Duties are performed in an environment where there is a potential for physical aggression from individuals.

Physical demands include the ability to talk or hear, close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

Schedule may vary depending on the needs of the home(s)/program(s) and other nursing support scheduling needs. There will also be a rotation for on-call duties. Weekend coverage may be necessary depending on the occupancy of the program(s).