Outpatient Program LPN

Description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Baton Rouge, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

The Outpatient Program LPN's primary role is to provide nursing care for patients who are experiencing common, well-defined health problems. The Outpatient Program LPN functions as a member of the multidisciplinary health care team and utilizes the nursing process in implementation of patient's care. Those services are performed under the supervision of a registered nurse and utilize standardized procedures with predictable outcomes. All duties to be done in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and Performance Improvement Standards.

Essential Functions:

1. Utilizes assessment scales to identify basic needs of patients by collecting data and identifying deviations from normal; Assist with reassessing patients according to assignments, need and unit protocol and/or hospital policy under the direction of the registered nurse.
2. Effectively communicates pertinent assessment findings with other health care members; Accurately and thoroughly documents all findings in the patient record; Identifies expected outcomes based on assessment data.
3. Implements nursing care interventions identified in the individualized multidisciplinary treatment plan using accepted standards of practice in collaboration with other health care providers.
4. Performs nursing procedures, treatments, and documents as prescribed by physician/LIP; Performs vital signs and measurement on patients as ordered and as needed based on nursing judgment and documents same in the medical record; Performs patient education as needed and documents same in medical record.
5. Provides for comfort and assistance in the performance of ADLs.
6. Promotes the patient's ability to cope, adapt and/or solve situations related to illness and/or stressors; Provides supportive, age-appropriate communication and culturally acceptable interventions and documents special needs.
7. Secures H & P Exams on new admissions.
8. Provides for the safe delivery of medications in accordance with the facility policies and physician orders; Provides patient education on ordered medication; Administers medications as prescribed / safely for those medications that can not be self administered. Oversees and coordinates with the patient the accurate self administration of their medication regime, utilizing established procedures/standards; Ensures patients are effectively assessed prior to and after medication administration.
9. Transcribes orders accurately and calls in prescription orders and/or refills according to the physician orders.
10. Follows up on patient care responsibilities; communicates incomplete assignments and patient needs with other disciplines to assure continuum of care.
11. Coordinates safe transportation of patients to and from the program in conjunction with the transportation technician.
12. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Educational / Experience Requirements:Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing. Prefer at least 1 year experience in an acute medical/surgical setting and/or an acute psychiatric setting.

Qualifications / Skills:

• Must be able to work in high stress and assess potential for patient escalation
• The LVN must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to consistently achieve positive results with internal and external customers, be highly organized, have an understanding and sensitivity to serve culturally diverse and special needs population such as Chronically Mentally Ill, Geriatric, CD, as well as be versed in basic knowledge of normal physical and emotional development
• Exhibits critical thinking abilities and applies them for continuous improvement of patient care
• Demonstrates self-confidence and ability to think conceptually in leading and directing others.
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications, calculations and administering techniques.

Work Environment:Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

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