LPN Residential Services at Lakes Region Mental Health Center – Laconia, New Hampshire

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Promotes the physical and mental health of patients by applying the nursing process as a member of the interdisciplinary team and working treatment teams and the prescriber(s) with the goal of assisting patients to assume responsibility for their own health and recovery.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the general supervision of the Residential management team and direct supervision of the nurse trainer, and within the agency’s and program’s policies and procedures, the LPN performs the following:

• Ongoing assessment of patient’s medications, health diagnoses, and/or health programs.
• Is available to staff and residents for ongoing consultation regarding medical problems, education of prescribed medications, and health care of our residents.
• Is available to support with both internal and external medical appointments. Acquiring visit summaries and relaying the information to the treatment team.
• Reports to residential treatment team and medical director regarding health observations.
• Works with team prescribers to link residents to necessary medical services and recovery services.
• In accordance with state regulation have a clear understanding of He-M 1002.4, He-M1202.
• Coordinates with pharmacies regarding patient prescriptions.
• Audit medications for errors prior to transporting from pharmacies to Passage House.
• Update MAR weekly and when any changes to medications occur.
• Provides instructions to patients related to ongoing medical conditions such as allergies, medication, diet, emergency plans related to ongoing medical concerns
• Provides consultation to patients regarding healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise.
• Documents services in accordance with agency policy and procedure requirements.
• All clinical, medical, and administrative documentation is completed in a timely and through manner according to established standards.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to take initiative and to make decisions/choices without direct supervision.
• Collaborates with outside agencies for effective care collaboration and to advocate for patients as needed and provides education and advocacy to family and community members as needed.
• Understands the mission of Lakes Region Mental Health Center.
• Performs others duties as assigned.
• Attendance is an essential function of this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES REQUIRED: The individual must possess the knowledge, skills and ability noted below or be able to explain and demonstrate how they can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities. The individual must also possess the necessary physical capacities, with or without the aid of mechanical devices or other forms of accommodation, to safely perform the primary functions of the job.

• Working knowledge of diagnosis, treatment planning, medications, counseling and crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to organize workload so that duties are completed in a timely and thorough manner without the need for direct supervision.
• Ability to follow through on responsibilities to the satisfaction of supervisor or other contact person(s).
• Makes effort to learn and understand the program’s operation and philosophy and apply this knowledge productively both within and outside of the team setting.
• Represents the team/program/patients/agency positively in interactions within and outside of the agency.
• Is able to establish a rapport and build working relationships with patients. Treats patients with dignity and respect and takes a patient centered approach to services, as noted through supervision, team participation, and feedback from staff and patients.
• Ability to use computers, word processing equipment, and EHR.
• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word and to receive detailed information through oral communication. Primary functions include activities in which verbal communication with patients and with others is key to job effectiveness.
• Visual acuity must meet a minimum standard to work with preparing, reading, and analyzing data and reports, work with a computer terminal, etc.
• able to use medical equipment and supplies accurately and administer medication appropriately
• Is able to tolerate periods of heavy workload and excessive stress.
• Is able to sustain light physical effort such as frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, or reaching and/or occasional lifting of items 20 lbs. or more.

TRAVEL: Travel required between LRMHC locations and in the community for medical appointments for patients.

HOURS: Part time, 20 hrs. per week, hours vary

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Graduation from an accredited nursing program, BSN preferred.

Experience: One to three years’ experience in Health Care with emphasis in Mental Health.

Licensure/Certification: An unencumbered nursing license in the State of NH is required. Special certifications in psychiatric nursing preferred. Valid NH driver’s license is required. Able to pass LRMHC criminal records and motor vehicles screening. Must maintain personal auto insurance at level commensurate with agency requirements.