Licensed Practical Nurse - Behavioral Health - CareSouth

POSITION SUMMARY:
 
LPN renders safe nursing care to Behavioral Health patients by providing high quality and efficient patient care.  Consults with Medical Support Team Manager on medical issues to assure patent needs are met. 
 
POSITION DUTIES:
 
1. Works closely with the Medical Support Team Manager to supervise daily clinic flow of psychiatric providers.  2. Greets patients, families, and providers in a courteous, friendly, and professional manner.  3. Responsible for assisting staff as needed during all set clinic hours at all locations.  4. Implements and enforces policies, procedures, and standards to assess, evaluate and meet the needs of the patient. 5. Aids in enforcing, observing, and developing an effective, ongoing program to measure, assess and improve the quality of nursing care delivered to patients in the psychiatric setting. 6. Assists with training medical support staff during on-boarding of new hires to include a buddy system, departmental tour, emergency explanations, basic nursing and medical expectations, procedures, and on Superbills. 7. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must also interpret data about the patient's status, in order to identify each patient's agespecific needs and provide the care needed by the patient group. 8. Assists the Medical Support Team Manager in overseeing the nursing department's quality and performance improvement program interfaces with and supports the nursing department quality and performance improvement program 9. Complete initial assessment of patient according to department Policies and Procedures and documents appropriately. 10. Fully participates and cooperates with Care South's compliance program. 11. Responsible for leading team huddles. 12. Learn other specialties to more efficiently serve patients. 13. Completes annual education requirements. 14. Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times. 15. Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and NCQA/FQHC regulations.
16. Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff. 17. Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner. 18. Reassesses patient according to department guidelines and documents appropriately. 19. Applies the nursing process to each patient and implements nursing actions. 20. Follows plan of care for each patient. 21. Continuously monitors patient for physical and psychosocial needs and alternates plan of care of changes is needed. 22. Appropriately documents administration of medication and patient's response to medication. 23. Receives physician's orders, records and assures completion. 24. Assist physicians with exams, as necessary. 25. Follows crisis intervention policy and procedure. 26. Documents care provided to patients, and their reaction to that care. 27. Recognizes emergency situations and responds appropriately. 28. Provides patient and/or family, significant teaching as opportunities arise or as need is identified. 29. Ability to educate and relay information to patients in a clear and concise manner. 30. Assess, implement, and evaluate patient education, paying particular attention to identified learner needs, barriers, and preferences. 31. Develop a plan for education together with the patient by incorporating the principles of self-management, by determining priorities, and by setting goals that are reachable and realistic. 32. Investigate alternative methods of patient education that are suitable for different learner needs and preferences, such as interactive Q & A, audiovisual materials, computerassisted instruction, cooperative learning (group education formats), displays and bulletin boards, demonstration/return demonstration, role play, and patient-directed education. 33. Target specific groups served by the clinic the disadvantaged, the elderly, minority groups, children, teens, pregnant women, etc. and design needs-based programs for education. 34. Develop, evaluate, maintain and promote the use of effective patient education materials in the clinic and the community at large. 35. Develop and prepare content and a schedule of conferences and in-services to convey theory and methods of patient education to resident physician, faculty and staff. 36. Organize and participates in community activities, such as health fairs, school projects, etc. 37. Responsible for completion of all patient care assignments by end of shift while maintaining quality standards 38. Develop and maintains approved policies and procedures for patient education and helps ensure compliance with all federal, state and local regulatory bodies. 39. Utilize appropriate resources to accommodate age, education, cultural and communication barriers. 40. Initiates multi-disciplinary referrals as needed and does appropriate follow-up. 41. Assures informed consent is obtained. 42. Respects privacy of patient. 43. Attends general orientation. 44. Identifies unsafe conditions and intervenes in a timely manner. 45. Responds to all emergency codes and drills and completes appropriate paperwork. 46. Follows Standard precautions by utilizing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. 47. Demonstrates knowledge of Policies and Procedures for the 7 Environment of Care
Plans:  (1) Safety and Security; (2) Hazardous Material and Waste; (3) Fire Safety; (4) Medical Equipment; (5) Utilities; (6) Other Physical Environment; and (7) Emergency Management. 48. Enforces environment of Care policies (smoking, hand washing, trash disposal, etc.). 49. Completes all required referral paperwork. 50. Gives complete report when referring patient. 51. Arranges for post discharge needs (home health, DME, appointments, etc.). 52. Coordinates and prioritizes patient activities across all departments. 53. Appropriately delegates care duties to Medical Assistant. 54. Maintains open communication with all team members. 55. Maintains adaptability, supports teamwork and resolves problems. 56. Reads written communication provided on unit (meeting minutes, memos). 57. Follows chain of command with problems and suggestions. 58. Accepts additional assignments willingly; and assists others as required to meet quality service and productivity expectations. 59. Other duties as assigned.
 
 
REQUIREMENTS:
 
1. Graduate of an accredited LPN/LVN school of nursing. 2. Current CPR certification is required. 3. Current license as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Louisiana. 4. Experience in collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare teams. 5. Experience in ambulatory care setting preferred. 
 
SUPERVISES:
 
NONE.