Licensed Practical Nurse - Crisis Intervention Center in Girard, Kansas at Crawford County Mental Health Center

Description:

Multiple Full and Part Time positions available

Position Summary:

We are seeking a compassionate and experienced psychiatric Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to join our dedicated mental health team. This position will work out of the Crawford County Crisis Intervention Center (CC-CIC) to provide high-quality essential nursing care, crisis intervention, and medication management to adult patients with acute and chronic psychiatric conditions, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders. This role requires a strong commitment to patient-centered care, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to stabilize and support patients in a high-acuity environment.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with nursing assessments upon admission and throughout the patient’s stay by obtaining and documenting vital signs, gathering relevant health information, observing the patient’s physical and mental status, and reporting findings and changes in condition to the RN and/or appropriate provider. Assist with the use of appropriate withdrawal/detoxification monitoring tools for patients experiencing or at risk for substance withdrawal, within LPN scope of practice.
• Monitor patient condition and response to treatment, including changes in mental and physical status, clinical symptoms, medication effectiveness, adverse effects, and other treatment outcomes; promptly communicate significant observations and changes in condition to the RN and/or appropriate provider.
• Administer medications and prescribed treatments accurately and safely within LPN scope of practice; monitor and report therapeutic effects, side effects, and adverse reactions, and maintain current knowledge of psychopharmacology, mental health disorders, and nursing care across the lifespan.
• Collect, label, handle, and prepare laboratory specimens in accordance with medical provider orders, applicable policies and procedures, infection-control standards, and established laboratory requirements.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation, including response to suicidal ideation, self-harm, aggression, behavioral escalation, and other acute psychiatric emergencies in accordance with established intervention and emergency-response protocols.
• Promote and maintain patient safety, including assisting with the implementation and monitoring of individualized safety plans, suicide and self-harm precautions, elopement prevention, infection-control practices, and other facility safety measures.
• Follow all requirements governing restraint and seclusion, including applicable state regulations, facility policies, authorization requirements, monitoring, documentation, and use of the least restrictive interventions necessary to maintain safety.
• Maintain accurate, clear, concise, and timely clinical documentation, including nursing observations, progress notes, medication administration, treatments, interventions, patient responses, and other required documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements and CIC policies; ensure required documentation is completed by the end of the shift.
• Collaborate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, maintaining effective working relationships with RNs, the Clinical Director, psychiatrist, APRNs, case managers, therapists, social workers, and other professionals to support coordinated patient care.
• Participate in treatment and discharge planning within LPN scope of practice, including contributing relevant nursing observations and patient information to the treatment team and supporting case management in coordinating services, referrals, follow-up care, and safe transitions from the CIC.
• Provide patient and family education and support within LPN scope of practice and established treatment plans, including reinforcement of education regarding mental health conditions, medications, coping and self-management strategies, and post-discharge care; protect patient rights and promote a supportive, therapeutic, trauma-informed environment.
• Maintain medical supplies and support safe medication management, including assisting with inventory, appropriate storage of medications and controlled substances, and compliance with applicable medication-management policies and procedures.
• Maintain regulatory, professional, and organizational compliance, including requirements related to confidentiality, LPN scope of practice, emergency procedures, patient rights, security, and applicable state and federal regulations; follow Center personnel policies, operating procedures, compliance requirements, and supervisory direction.
• Contribute to staff competency and emergency preparedness by completing and participating in required orientation, continuing education, in-service training, crisis-intervention and trauma-informed care training, emergency-response training, and required drills, including fire, tornado, and patient-elopement response exercises.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and effective working relationships with patients, families, employees, external partners, and other stakeholders; represent the Center consistent with its mission, policies, and procedures; accept supervision and appropriately incorporate constructive feedback into practice.

This position is funded through external grant funding. Employment in this role is contingent upon the availability and continuation of grant funds. While the organization intends to support the position for the duration of the grant period, continued employment is not guaranteed and may be affected by changes in funding availability, grant requirements, program needs, or organizational priorities. Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age and possess a current license as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the State of Kansas.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program with an Associate Degree in Nursing (AND).
• Two years of experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is preferred, with experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing, crisis intervention, emergency care, or inpatient behavioral health settings strongly preferred.
• Experience with trauma-informed care and de-escalation techniques is required. Must demonstrate knowledge of behavioral health crisis intervention, psychiatric medications, and trauma-informed principles.
• Maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR and First Aid certification, as required by the Center.
• Must successfully complete required criminal history and background checks, including applicable Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and KDADS requirements.
• Must meet applicable tuberculosis screening requirements, including providing documentation of required TB testing or chest X-ray and completing additional screening following potential exposure, in accordance with K.A.R. 26-52-9 and applicable Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidance.
• Must provide required health documentation from an authorized medical practitioner confirming the ability to perform assigned job duties or identifying any necessary accommodations, in accordance with applicable CIC requirements.
• Must possess the physical ability, readiness, and stamina necessary to safely perform the essential functions of the position, including responding effectively during behavioral health crises, emergencies, and other high-pressure situations.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Staff will meet competency expectations, including integration of evidence-based practices and required certifications by successfully completing the following training which will be conducted in all of the following manners, but limited to in-person training, online training, webinars, seminars, workshops, and self-directed training. All training, certifications, and competencies will be documented by completion certificates when available and maintained by the Training department.
• Obtain Certification for Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) training. MOAB is an in-depth training program that teaches individuals how to recognize, reduce, and manage violent and aggressive behavior. Training is provided.