Pediatric Residential Psych. LPN FT/PT

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionThis is a client/resident care-oriented position that is intended to provide emotional and physical comfort to clients. This position is established to serve as part of a team of support to deliver high quality services and care to clients served by KidsTLC. The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for assisting with the management of medical care and communication of medical issues on their assigned unit/s and for delivering high quality medical services and holistic care to clients. Services are individualized and will be provided in the most appropriate setting, in a timely manner and in accordance with best practices, all without prejudice, and within the scope of the Kansas Nurse Practice Act. The Licensed Practical Nurse’s scope of practice includes, but is not limited to, planning, communication, implementation, evaluation, and documentation. Responsibilities and tasks are performed under the direction of the Senior Director of Nursing or the Director of Medical Services of KidsTLC. Work performance is reviewed through supervision, reports, and evaluation. Incumbent to this position, the Licensed Practical Nurse will be an employee of KidsTLC for Children and Families and will be subject to KidsTLC, Inc. personal policies and Procedures. This is an EOE (equal opportunity employment) position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Provide primary nursing care to KidsTLC clients:

· Help staff maintain a safe, hygienic, and nurturing environment.

· Assess clients’ nursing needs.

· Meet the reasonable medical and emotional needs of the clients.

· Respect the child and their family’s individuality.

· Provide individualized care for each child and family.

· Inform the Nurse Practitioner/s and Nurse Manager of any emergency, concern, or adverse change in a client’s mental or physical health.

· Strict practice within HIPAA and COA regulations.

· Properly respond to crisis and conflict with confidence and professionalism.

· Help coordinate medical and psychiatric care/follow-up for the client while at KidsTLC.

· Assist with client education on medications and acute and chronic conditions.

Organize, cross-check, and administer medications to clients, documenting each medication administration according to KidsTLC’s policies and procedures:

· Document all medications, including name, strength, dose, frequency, timing, and diagnosis/rationale, in the clients’ Medication Administration Records

· Document all ordered medication changes in the MAR by discontinuing the old order and writing the changes as a new medication order.

· When indicated, add and/or discontinue medication orders with the pharmacy through OrderConnect on behalf of the ordering Provider.

· Ensure all medications are accurately filled to prescription upon arrival from the pharmacy.

· Ensure all prescribed medications are available but kept in a locked cabinet in an accessible, supervised area.

· Encourage and ensure client medication compliance.

· Observe, record, and report the mental and physical condition of the client and any change thereof.

· Document, and report to the Provider and/or Director of Nursing, all medication adverse effects, errors, losses, and wastes in a timely and appropriate manner.

Perform basic physical and emotional client assessments and share findings with the Nurse Manager and Provider to help formulate treatment plans with anticipated outcomes:

· Health assessments may include pain, physical symptoms, nutritional, growth, vital signs, and overall wellness assessments.

· Communicate with the clients’ Nurse Manager any observations and concerns.

· Provide information to the Provider and Nurse Manager regarding any issues/concerns relative to the medical and emotional needs of the clients.

· Complete all necessary documentation with accuracy and detail.

· Maintain accuracy and accept responsibility for all clinical documentation.

· Demonstrate and maintain punctuality with documentation.

Work as an integral member of the KidsTLC Organization as a whole:

· Represent KidsTLC and its mission in a variety of public and community settings.

· Positively represent KidsTLC, upholding and exemplifying the highest of moral ethics and professionalism

· Practice in a manner that is consistently mindful of KidsTLC’s Mission and Vision

· Learn and use the principles of Dialectical Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) when working with clients.

· Allow work with clients to be relationally based; connect with clients so they can be and feel safe to work on their treatment goals.

· Perform as a willing resource for all ancillary staff, including other LPNs and CNAs

· Mentor the LPNs, CNAs, and new medical staff, providing expertise, guidance, and assistance when and where appropriate.

· Value the children we treat, their experiences and development.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no direct reports.
• LPNs are supervised by the Senior Director of Nursing

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential 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 to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED SKILLS

· Effective communication skills, both oral and written

· Skills and tasks associated with the duties of any LPN.

· Good problem-solving ability for work/client issues

· Good judgement and decision-making skills

· Compassion and empathy and, at times, assertiveness.

· Acceptance of accountability for all aspects of the LPN position

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Completion of an accredited LPN program and current LPN licensure in good standing.
• Must maintain current LPN licensure without restriction and in compliance with the Kansas Nurse Practice Act
• A minimum of two (2) years psychiatric nursing experience preferred.
• Current CPR certification
• Proficient with basic nursing skills and good understanding of medications and their indications
• Participation and successful completion of all required KidsTLC Trainings as well as necessary continuing education that LPN licensure requires.

LANGUAGE ABILITY

Ability to read and interpret documents such as client medical histories, medication information, medical orders, laboratory reports, diagnostic tests, safety rules and procedure manuals.

Ability to clearly document medical findings and assessments, write routine reports and correspondence.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

COGNITIVE DEMANDS

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of industry specific software, industry specific systems and other web-based software programs, Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

PERSONAL RELATIONS

This position will have frequent contact with KidsTLC clients, staff, management, and the public. The LPN will practice positive, professional and construction interaction with all individuals.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

Residential treatment is like those of any group home.Stress fluctuates in this position, and, at times, the environment can be fast-paced and chaotic with a high level of noise and activity. The ability to remain calm and clear-headed is important.

SKILL ATTAINMENT

The LPN is expected to acquire the necessary information and skills to perform the job requirements well after six months on-the-job. The LPN is expected to have mastered the critical functions of the position within one year. Professional learning and growth are an ongoing and continuous endeavor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the LPN is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and listen/hear. Must frequently stand and use hands for tactile purposes. Also required to reach with arms and hands and must occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and assist with physical safety restraints. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Regular vision abilities, including computer work, is required.

---