Seasonal Licensed Practical Nurse II - All Shifts - Corrigan Mental Health Center

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Fall River, MA

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Dr. John C. Corrigan Mental Health Center is seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals for the position of Licensed Practical Nurse II who desire a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of individuals. This role involves working with and assisting 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. Responsibilities include monitoring patients and behaviors, providing direct care nursing care, and patient teaching regarding health and wellness, medication, and illness management. The selected candidate will possess strong therapeutic interpersonal skills to encourage and motivate individuals in their recovery towards treatment goals. This is a seasonal position for an anticipated duration of 90 days, full-time, 40 hours per week, with a varying work schedule including Day, Evening, and Night shifts with rotating weekends. Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

Requirements

Working knowledge of the theories, methods, procedures and practice 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.
At least one year of paraprofessional experience in the field of nursing as a licensed practical nurse.
Possession of a current and valid license as a practical nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.