Licensed Practical Nurse - Brooklyn - Start Treatment and Recovery Centers

Reporting to the Head Nurse, the LPN is expected to support organizational goals by providing quality customer service, participating in performance improvement efforts and demonstrating a commitment to teamwork and cooperation. LPN’s are expected to provide nursing/health care to patients, dispensing medication to patients as per physician order. Responsible for accurate dispensing and recording of methadone/suboxone for outpatient clients per state and federal regulations.

*NPI number is required*  If you do not have an NPI number, please apply here to receive one: https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/#/ 
 

*This is an 1199 union position*

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Adheres to all START's policy and participates in all mandatory trainings
• Accurately administers client medications/treatments per physician order and in accordance with clinic policy and procedure. Not limited to methadone/suboxone.

• Reconcile methadone/suboxone in electronic health record daily after completion of dispensing.

• Accurately dispenses and records methadone/suboxone per federal regulations to include counting and recording Controlled Substances with two medical/nursing personnel.
• Maintain daily inventory levels of medical and dispensing supplies for continuity of care.
• Maintain the integrity of both the medical and dispensing area by adhering to safety procedures and regulations.

• Must adhere to all procedures referable to accounting for medication dispensed to patients and reporting any deviations from dispensing and medication accountability procedures immediately to the Head Nurse, Director of Nursing (DON), Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), and provider, completing all appropriate reports in its timeframe.

• Assist in dose verifications and documents in the EMR system.

• Maintain a clean work area that is properly stocked to safely administer MAT. This shall include but not limited to maintaining inventory and supplies at each location, bottle labeling to ensure enough supply for next day and notifying administration and supervisors of issues and hazards

• Must report to/float to any of START’s MTP programs as assigned based on operational needs.

• Triage patient for medical/ telehealth encounters that includes but not limited to performing, phlebotomy (including ensuring all specimens are packaged and sent to lab as ordered), EKGs, immunizations, Therapeutic injections, assists in urine collection for both urinalysis and toxicology, vital signs, as a Limited Service Laboratory, perform both laboratory and waived tests, which include but not limited to, glucose, pregnancy, COVID, and influenza and document encounter with nursing notes in the EMR system. 

• Obtain thorough and complete history and physicals on admission, annuals and as needed during triage, telehealth or when medical issues occur during treatment.

• Obtain accurate medication lists and have basic knowledge of possible interactions with methadone and buprenorphine.

• Ensures adherence to Infection Control practices.

• Prepare and host Patient Education group when assigned and complete documentation.

• Perform patient call-backs/ well calls/ follow-ups and complete detailed documentation.

• In the absence of the Certified Medical Assistant (CMT), will perform all CMT’s responsibilities to assure continuity of care to patients and continued operation of the clinic

• Participate in Peer Reviews, Data collection, and dissemination of information as a part of daily operations.

• Performs any other duties as assigned by the Head Nurse/ Designee, Clinic Director, Medical Director, Mid-Level provider, Chief Medical Officer and/or DON/ADON as outlined within the Clinical/Operational Manual, and its amendments or interim changes.

• Maintain the integrity of clinical area by adhering to safety procedure and regulations and reporting any issues with medical equipment and give notification to the Head Nurse/ Designee.

• Participate in at least two (2) professional educational classes, seminar or CME for knowledge expansion and/or professional development annually.

• Complete all training and reports within the assigned timeframe.

• Participate in Interdisciplinary Team meetings i.e. Case Conferences.

• Demonstrates and ensures exemplary customer service skills and always displays an elevated level of professionalism and adaptability.

• Checks emails daily, responds to, and acts on emails sent by staff members. 

• Responsible to maintain current Licenses and CPR certifications. Copies must be given to People and Culture, DON/ADON, Supervisor/ Head Nurse, and posted in dispensing station. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed Practical Nursing state certification required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
• Excellent computer skills & working knowledge of (Electronic Medical Records (EMR) required.
• Associate's degree, Preferred
• Three (3) years of nursing experience is preferred.
• Phlebotomy Certification preferred.
• Methadone or Suboxone dispensing experience a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with patients and co-workers.
• Strong teamwork capabilities.
• Passionate about working with individuals who need assistance. 
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The regular workday from Monday through Friday for Employees in the MATP programs begins between 6:30 a.m. and ends between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Nurses scheduled to work on Saturday in MATP programs workday begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at noon. Employees shall be required to work overtime when required by the Agency for patient care and operational needs. Days and hours may change based on operational needs, with appropriate written notice.

Benefits

• Vacation, personal, and sick leave
• Medical, dental, vision plans
• Pension & retirement plan 
• Short & long-term disability
• Life insurance
• AFLAC
• Pet Insurance

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness 
• National Health Service Corp Loan Repayment

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES- N/A

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the esssential functions of the position described which are reviewed in each individual case.

While performing the responsibilities of the role, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use his or her hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may be required to lift an object weighing up to 50 lbs., with or without assistance. The vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

LIMITATIONS & DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT                                                 

START provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.