Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Dakota County

Guild Services•West Saint Paul, MN

4d•$57,915 - $64,085•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides nursing services within the scope of LPN practice under the direction and supervision of the program Registered Nurse for individuals served by Guild’s Dakota County Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) program. The LPN supports safe medication administration and management, contributes to admissions, reinforces health and medication education, and coordinates with the treatment team and external providers to address recipients’ physical and mental health needs as they prepare to return to community living. The schedule is four 3 p.m.–11 p.m. shifts and one weekend-day 8 a.m.–4 p.m. shift. The position is based at Guild’s Dakota County IRTS program in West St. Paul, with possible community activities, travel to other program sites, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts, and participation in an assigned on-call rotation. The role involves interaction with clients, families, and the public and may involve exposure to bodily fluids, communicable diseases, and tobacco smoke.

Requirements

Diploma or certificate from an accredited practical nursing program.
Current, unencumbered Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
At least 1 year of experience as an LPN providing direct nursing care.
Knowledge of serious mental illness and substance use disorders, including signs of intoxication and withdrawal.
Working knowledge of medications, particularly psychotropics, including common side effects, interactions, and monitoring needs.
Understanding of the LPN scope of practice under the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act and ability to recognize when to consult or refer to the RN or prescriber.
Ability to use medical equipment such as blood pressure cuffs, scales, stethoscopes, glucometers, pulse oximeters, thermometers, needles, and syringes.
Ability to observe, recognize, and accurately report changes in recipients’ physical and mental health.
Ability to provide health and medication education to clients and staff.
Commitment to trauma-informed, evidence-based, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including accurate and timely clinical documentation.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of organizational, personnel, and client data, including compliance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Ability to meet deadlines, set priorities, use sound judgment, and maintain healthy boundaries in a fast-paced residential setting.
Proficiency with EMAR and electronic health record systems, web-based software and databases, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Must not be actively receiving services from Guild or have received services within the last two years.
Must pass a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study.
Valid Class D driver’s license, reliable vehicle, satisfactory driving record, and necessary insurance.
Current CPR/First Aid certification.
Must be ambulatory and able to negotiate stairways.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing nursing care to people with serious and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorders, ideally in a residential, IRTS, crisis, or inpatient psychiatric setting.
Experience administering long-acting injectable psychotropic medications.
Experience with EMAR and electronic health record systems.

Responsibilities

Administer and document ordered oral, topical, and injectable medications, including long-acting injectable psychotropics, in accordance with medication-administration requirements, Guild policy, and Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245I.
Transcribe medication orders into the EMAR upon admission and when orders change; flag new or changed orders for RN verification and communicate changes to the team.
Monitor medication effectiveness, side effects, adverse reactions, and changes in physical or mental health, and promptly report concerns to the RN and prescriber.
Reinforce RN-provided health and medication education with clients individually and in groups, using approved teaching plans and materials.
Help recipients learn to manage their medications independently and safely in preparation for community living, consistent with their individual treatment plans.
Support the RN in training and coaching unlicensed staff on medication monitoring, observed self-administration, and EMAR documentation.
Communicate with pharmacies, prescribers, and other providers about medication orders, refills, prior authorizations, symptoms, and recipient needs.
Manage medication storage, inventory, ordering, disposal, and controlled-substance counts according to policy and applicable regulations.
Perform routine nursing procedures within LPN scope, including vital signs, glucose monitoring, specimen collection, and basic wound care.
Document nursing services accurately and promptly in the electronic health record and EMAR, meeting Guild, licensing, and payer standards.
Participate in treatment team meetings and share observations about recipients’ health and self-care or ability to follow medical recommendations.
Stay current on relevant health care issues, psychotropic medications, and mental health and substance use nursing practices.
Observe and identify early signs of distress, medical instability, intoxication, or withdrawal, and discuss intervention adjustments with staff to help prevent escalation.
Work with clients and the team to identify stressors and early warning signs that may lead to a crisis.
Respond to medical and behavioral health emergencies with first aid, CPR, and nursing interventions within LPN scope; activate emergency services or arrange transfer to a higher level of care when needed.
Promptly notify the RN, Program Manager, and prescriber of crises or significant changes in condition, and complete required documentation.