Licensed Practical Nurse II

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Job Description - Licensed Practical Nurse II (260004Y7) Overview The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking Licensed Practical Nurse II at the Fenwood Inn, a 40-bed shelter for unhoused individuals with mental illness. The nurse serves as the licensed clinical supervisor for the Fenwood Inn Shelter, provides clinical oversight, administers medication, conducts crisis assessments and evaluations, and implements emergency procedures as needed to provide care to shelter guests. Schedule Monday–Friday 12:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday off. Mandatory overtime may be required. Responsibilities Direct Nursing Care Provide direct nursing care, including medication administration, vital signs, scheduled medical treatments, and basic first aid. Observe, record, and report changes in shelter guests’ psychiatric or medical status daily. Administer and document medications as prescribed; monitor physician orders each shift and complete monthly order summaries. Oversee and document self-medication for guests of the Fenwood Inn. Provide daily medication teaching to support shelter guest independence. Identify and address guests’ daily personal care and hygiene needs. Therapeutic Engagement & Client Support Develop and maintain therapeutic, professional relationships with persons served, adapting to individual needs and preferences. Implement treatment plans using clinical judgment, initiative, decision-making, and follow-through. Respond and adapt to changes in clinical priorities and assignments. Provide psychoeducation on medical care, treatment, and health-related matters. Serve as charge nurse for assigned shifts; supervise 1–5 staff directly and 6–15 staff indirectly. Collaborate with Visiting Nurse Agency staff. Assign and review work for Mental Health Workers (MHWs); monitor punctuality and performance. Provide clinical oversight to staff regarding medication and clinical concerns. Work collaboratively with direct care staff and participate in light housekeeping activities as needed. Communicate effectively with the supervising RN and/or on-call nurse or supervisor. Provide supervision to other staff and trainees as assigned. Operational Responsibilities Lead prompt and collaborative communication with MMHC and FI leadership and the STS team when a guest shows signs of distress or escalating emotions, supporting early intervention and safety planning. Respond effectively during emergencies, maintain calm, offer reassurance, and coordinate to ensure guest safety. Adhere to the DMH Risk Mitigation Policy. Enter all reportable incidents into the DMH electronic incident reporting system per policy. Adhere to infection prevention and control procedures, including cleaning, disinfecting equipment, and implementing precautions. Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with DMH, MMHC, and regulatory requirements for quality assurance and legal standards. Schedule appointments and arrange transportation. Seek ongoing professional development by attending or presenting trainings and conferences. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Required Qualifications: Knowledge of practical nursing principles, sanitation and sterilization, and best practices in medical facilities. Familiarity with custodial care challenges for diverse client groups (e.g., visually/hearing impaired, IDD, Autism) in a residential setting. Experience with medical terminology, emergency procedures (including CPR), and infection prevention practices. Proficient in geriatrics and care across the age spectrum, dementia care, behavioral health interventions. Strong communication skills in English (oral and written). Ability to document clearly, follow instructions, and use computers, fax, scanning, printing, and email for communication. Ability to gather information through observation and records review, and to apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines while maintaining accurate records. Skill in de-escalation and working with individuals under stress. Ability to work in a team and in group settings; establish rapport across diverse backgrounds; maintain calm under pressure with sound judgment and empathy. Able to assist clients with ambulation as needed. Preferred Qualifications: Bi-lingual or multilingual fluency is advantageous given the population served. Knowledge of nursing principles and procedures, unit policies, and residential activity guidelines. Knowledge of equipment and procedures for physical therapy, infection control, sterilization, and isolation practices. Familiarity with advanced medical technology (e.g., glucose monitoring, bladder scanners, pressure mapping, ventilators) as applicable to patient care. Knowledge of dialysis equipment and procedures and nursing practices related to dialysis. Ability to document/input, search and review medical data electronically. Licensing & Certification Possession of a current Massachusetts Practical Nurse license and current CPR certification. Pre-Offer & Other Requirements A criminal background check will be completed prior to hire. Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified per HR guidelines. Vaccination status for COVID-19 and Influenza may be required under regulations, with acknowledgment of status. Equal Opportunity An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Additional Information Official Title: Licensed Practical Nurse II Primary Location: Medical Services Agency: Department of Mental Health Schedule: Full-time Shift: Night Job Posting: Jul 16, 2026 Number of Openings: 1 Salary: 66,757.60 - 90,530.18 Yearly If you have Diversity or ADA questions, please contact the Diversity Officer at William Herbert (View email address on click.appcast.io) or View phone number on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr Commonwealth of Massachusetts