Licensed Practical Nurse

MI Residential Services

Full-Time: 40 hours

Monday through Thursday; 8:00am to 5:30pm; Friday 8:00 to 12:00 & On-call

~~~~$2500 Sign-On Bonus~~~~                                                 

- Tuscaloosa, AL -

Competencies:

• Working knowledge of psychiatric disorders in adult populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
• Effective knowledge of adult consumers as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of their development.
• Demonstrated knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychiatric consumers as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.
• Knowledge of instruction and teaching tools appropriate to adult populations.
• Effective knowledge of effects and treatment of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect issues.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• MAS nurse certification.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Complete the admission process for consumers including:  Nursing Assessments, Medical Checklist/Physical Health/Nutritional screening, Medication List, Medication Administration Record, vital signs, height/weight, transcribing physician orders, AIMS, and admission notes.
• Observe consumers' behavior in groups and activities, documenting observations in consumer records.  Interact with consumers, determine needs, and ensure that pertinent information is reported from shift to shift or during staffing with the Treatment Team.
• Provide direct nursing care, as indicated.
• Transcribe/post all medication orders to the MAR and acquire medications for the immediate initiation of medications.  Administer medications, oral and injectable, observing the Six Rights of Medication Administration.  Monitor staff to ensure they are compliant with the Six Rights.  Document allergies before administering medications.  Assist in scheduling consumers with the physician or CRNP to ensure treatment in an expedient manner.  Provide medication education for the consumer and family, including uses and potential side effects. Monitor consumers for potential side effects of medications and report findings to the RN, CRNP, and the physician.
• Monitor the medication administration system within the Residential Program.
• Ensure that all scheduled staff are MAC trained.
• Complete in-home MAC training for residential staff and certify these individuals.
• Ensure medications are obtained for the consumers.
• Review all MARs at the beginning of each month, comparing to all physician orders.
• Make all changes on the MARs as medications change.
• Complete med monitoring on residential consumers to prevent complications & ensure effectiveness.
• Complete quarterly review of MAC workers & ensure MARs are completed accurately by MAC workers.
• Perform and document pill count of every medication listed on MARs weekly.
• Report concerns about doses, interactions or side effects of medication immediately to clinical director, CRNP or MD.
• Communicate effectively w/RN, CRNP and physician regarding consumer's physical and mental condition.
• Interface with the multi-disciplinary team and actively and cooperatively participate in development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Contact laboratory, request and monitor results, and report all abnormal findings to the physician.
• Provide emergency care as needed (CPR, PRN medications), according to IRBH policy and procedures.
• Demonstrate ability to recognize elements of a crisis state & know how to deescalate or resolve situation.
• Monitor the medical status of residential consumers and make the determination of appropriate level of supervision in consultation with the Clinical Director.
• Adhere to professional code of ethics.
• Seek clinical supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accept and employ suggestions for improvement and actively work to enhance clinical skills.
• Document in a timely fashion per IRBH policy.
• Document in a clear, concise manner, types of consumer problems, treatment goals and services provided.
• Documentation shows that forms, notes, logs, and other applicable written information are completed promptly, accurately and updated when appropriate.
• Treat consumers with care, dignity and compassion and respect consumer's privacy and confidentiality.
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others and assist consumers and visitors as needed.
• Ensure personal values do not inhibit ability to relate and care for others.
• Is sensitive to the consumer's needs, expectations and individual differences.
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families.
• Access appropriate community resources according to consumer needs.
• Update and post notes and services in Avatar daily.
• Ensure that all assigned duties are implemented according to IRBH and DMH policies and procedures.
• Ensure all safety, fire prevention, and health measures are followed while on duty.
• Transport consumers in a company vehicle, ensuring that company vehicle is operated in a safe manner and that appropriate staff are notified if there is an accident or if the vehicle is in need of service.
• If using agency vehicle, ensure that agency vehicle has pre-trip inspection.  Report documentation to Program Coordinator and Facilities Manager.
• If a company vehicle is not available utilize personal vehicle to accomplish work related duties.
• Maintain communication and awareness of current events by reading memos, e-mails, bulletin boards, and communication logs and respond in a timely manner.
• Work independently and/or with teams to complete assigned tasks accurately and in a timely manner with minimum supervision.
• Support Organizational Code of Conduct, Standards Compliance, HIPAA and Security Programs by ensuring job tasks are performed in a legal and ethical manner, assessing the work area for non-compliance and notifying the supervisor, manager, Executive Director or designee as appropriate, and maintaining training requirements and understanding that training is a required condition of employment.
• Adhere to attendance and punctuality policy by allowing adequate time to arrive, clock-in and assume responsibilities at designated time, adhering to meal and break times and making timely requests for annual leave and reporting the need for sick leave in accordance with policy.
• Comply with all standards related to safety and health by maintaining current TB Test, CPR/First Aid, CPI, and by reporting infections and on-the-job injuries in accordance with policy. 
• Identify opportunities for improving the quality of services provided by the department and the organization.
• All other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor or Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a current LPN license to practice in the state of Alabama.
• Experience in a mental health setting preferred.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology in psychiatric care required.
• Familiarity of psycho-pharmacy and the use of psychotropic medication with the adult population preferred.
• Current Alabama driver's license and good driving record as defined by Indian Rivers' policy.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English. 

Working Conditions, HIPAA and Other Guidelines:

Job Specifications:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities,who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

HIPAA:  Must be knowledgeable of and abide by HIPAA regulations with regard to protected health information as defined by HIPAA and IRBH.  Minimally accesses verbal, written, and /or electronic PHI, usually incidentally to an approved use and /or disclosure as pertains to consumer's financial, demographic, and/or clinical data.

Working Conditions:  Works in residential facilities; may require long hours.  Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees, consumers and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, computer, copier, multi-line phone and fax machine.  Must be able to lift fifty (50)pounds and negotiate several sets of stairs in an eight (8) hour shift. Some risk involved in the event of aggressive/out-of-control consumers. Must possess a valid Alabama driver's license.

Physical Requirements: The Physical Requirements described herein are representative of those which mustbe met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform essential functions.

Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Insurance
• Employees Retirement System of Alabama
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• Voluntary Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

Indian Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer
This Employer participates in E-Verify