Seasonal Licensed Practical Nurse II

This is a seasonal position with an anticipated duration of 90 days.

The Dr. John C. Corrigan Mental Health Center is seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals for the position of Licensed Practical Nurse II who desires a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of individuals. Our ideal candidate for this position will work with and assist other professional staff in providing day-to-day direct care to individuals on a 16-bed secured inpatient unit with serious and persistent mental illness, including monitoring patients, behaviors, providing direct care nursing care and patient teaching in regard to health and wellness, medication and illness management. The selected candidate will possess strong therapeutic interpersonal skills to encourage and motivate individuals in their recovery to work towards treatment goals. 

Please Note: This is a seasonal position for an anticipated duration of 90 days. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week. The work schedule will vary. Day, Evening, and Night shifts available with rotating weekends. Seasonal positions do not offer employee benefits with the exception of sick time accruals.

Day Shift: 6:45AM - 3:15PM

Evening Shift: 2:45PM - 11:15PM

Night Shift: 11:00PM - 7:00AM

Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties and responsibilities are not all inclusive): 

• Provides direct nursing care to patients with symptoms of acute mental illness on locked 16-bed inpatient unit to ensure patients' health and safety needs are met.
• Administers medications and treatment orders as prescribed by an appropriate medical practitioner and document each patient's medication regime in both electronic and paper mediums.
• Monitors the patient's response to current medication and treatment regiments and reports findings to the appropriate medical practitioner.
• Observes, reports and records patient's conditions, behaviors and progress and provides feedback to appropriate personnel, to include the Registered Nurse and authorized prescriber, on an ongoing basis and during shift changes to ensure the continuity of patient care and the well-being of the patients.
• Interfaces with pharmacy services to ensure correct medications are obtained and in stock and available for use.
• Assists the Charge Nurse with the delivery of nursing care and functions as an active member of the treatment team.
• Educates and instructs clients/consumers in medications and health issues by facilitating 1:1 and group education and documenting accordingly in the patient's medical record utilizing established formats and practices.
• Maintain patient records (traditional paper and electronic media) which may include daily reports, progress notes and pharmacy /medication administration documentation per established protocols.
• Promotes early intervention and de-escalation activities based on information contained in patient safety and de-escalation tools as provided by the patient.
• Familiar with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and Joint Commission standards as they pertain to quality patient care on the unit, participating in the survey and or auditing activities as assigned.
• Participates in medical and psychiatric emergency responses, including the provision of first aid and CPR in accordance with current trainings and assists and participates in de-escalation and all approved forms of restraint per DMH regulations and facility protocols when needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor in order to facilitate efficient delivery of quality care. 

Required Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of the theories, methods, procedures and practice3 of nursing care of patients as a Licensed Practical Nurse
• Working knowledge of the established nursing procedures for the administration of medication and the performance of treatments
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral formats.
• Ability to work in a team setting and in group situations
• Ability to establish rapport and deal tactfully with persons from varied ethnic, religious, cultural or economic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain a calm manner during stressful and emergency situations.
• Ability to acquire skills in entering patient information in electronic medical record and other computerized software.
• Knowledge of principals, practices and techniques of supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Capacity to assist/lift individuals with physical disabilities and/or limited mobility.
• Knowledge of standard nursing policies, procedures, methods and techniques.
• Capacity to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Familiarity with safety practices and medical terminology/abbreviations.

DMH Vision and Mission:

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities.

About the Dr. John C. Corrigan Community Mental Health Center:

The Dr. John C. Corrigan Mental Health Center/Fall River Site provides comprehensive services to adults and children.
 Programs include a 16-bed acute in-patient unit, Case Management, Day Treatment Program and Adult Community
 Clinical Services. Our mission is to provide person centered care to individuals of diverse backgrounds. We always aspire
 to create an environment which promotes recovery, resiliency, growth and independence for those we serve and their
 families as well as to create an environment where employees can learn and grow.  

Learn more about our important work: 

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit  and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the form.  ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at and select option #4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
 

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least one year of paraprofessional experience in the field of nursing as a licensed practical nurse. 

 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a current and valid license as a practical nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Title 101 CMR "Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100%25 of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.