POSITION TITLE: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
REPORTS TO: Director of Patient Services / Registered Nurse in Charge
POSITION PURPOSE: The function of the LPN is to assist professional level staff in providing direct psychiatric patient care to patients in a psychiatric facility. Provides direct services on assigned shift and nursing unit. Maintains harmonious relationships among patients, physicians, nurses, patient families, and treatment team and ancillary personnel.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assists charge nurse in data collection upon patient admission for complete patient history and assessment. Assists in orienting new patients.
- Collects any specimens and explains procedures to patient before and during procedures.
- Identifies any overt changes in patient physical, emotional, and behavioral status and report and records these to the charge nurse.
- Identifies specific needs from assessment, age specific behavior/needs, patient verbalization, patient history and document on plan of care.
- Documents progress on flow sheets and in patient progress notes and in report to nursing personnel.
- Understands basic pharmacology and safely administers medications as ordered according to policy and procedures within the guidelines and limits of nursing license.
- Advocate for patient and or family.
- Effectively communicates information/concerns to nursing, clinical, medical personnel and other members of the treatment team.
- Adheres to policies and procedures of the hospital.
- Assures attendance of patients in timely fashion to scheduled program activities.
- Maintains current licensure and practices within the guidelines/scope of the license.
- Assists charge nurse in patient discharge procedures.
- Assists charge nurse in patient education.
- Demonstrates consistency in work attendance.
- Routinely documents initiation of any antibiotics, on monthly infection control record.
- Reports safely issues/problems/concerns/to charge nurse.
- Actively involved in performance improvement/infection control.
- Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to help meet the hospital and/or staff needs.
- Serves as a resource for patients, families, and other members of the treatment team and substance abuse technicians.
- Acts as a peer preceptor for new orientation employees.
- Addresses concerns or conflict with appropriate party or director of nursing if additional guidance is needed.
- Willing to adapt to change – is flexible. Open to feedback from charge nurse, DON, and other management team members.
- Portrays in appearance, attitude and in communications as a professional image to insure/facilitate patient trust.
- Attends educational activities, which maintain and enhance nursing skills and knowledge in chemical dependency.
- Maintains customer information in confidential manner.
- Attends hospital orientation, staff meetings and keeps all yearly mandatories up-to-date as required by HOH.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Reading comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why the react as they do.
- Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Writing – Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Time Management – Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Problem Sensitivity – The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem only recognizing there is a problem.
- Selective Attention – The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
- Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND REQUIREMENTS:
Physical: Lifting 40 lbs.
Pushing: Up to 150 lbs.
Manual Dexterity: Average
Average % of time during regular shift devoted to:
Standing: 21-40 Walking: 21-40
Sitting: 0-20 Squatting: 0-10
Mobility is required:
- Must be able to kneel on the floor (CPR).
- Must be able to assist in physical restraint of patients (i.e. holding down a limb, therapeutic holds, safely support the weight of an aggressive patient/resident when it becomes necessary to assist them to the floor, twisting and/or rolling on the floor etc.) as taught in CPI.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Graduation from an accredited school of licensed practical nursing with a current Michigan nursing license.
- Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience in chemical dependency or related field (i.e. psychiatric) areas.
- Ability to work independently and without constant direction.
- Ability to work within a team environment.
- Be able to maintain a professional appearance and attitude.