Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Outpatient Behavioral Health

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse provides outpatient behavioral health clinical support by preparing patients for examinations, collecting and documenting health information, performing laboratory procedures, assisting providers with procedures, administering medications, and providing basic patient education. The role follows scope-of-practice guidelines, refers questions to registered nurses and providers when appropriate, and communicates accurate and timely information about patient conditions to the care team. The LPN also performs advanced clinical tasks under clinical supervision after demonstrating competency, organizes and maintains exam rooms and clinical work areas, and supports patient-centered care, care management, and quality improvement activities. Care must be appropriate to patients’ ages and developmental needs, in accordance with department policies and procedures. This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with a Monday–Friday day-shift schedule. The listed pay range is $24.10–$36.15. The role requires an active LPN license in the state of practice and completion of an accredited or approved practical nursing program. No prior experience is required. AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification must be obtained within 45 days unless the department leader determines it is not required. The job involves frequent physical activity, patient positioning and transport, lifting and pushing/pulling, and exposure to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and blood/body-fluid hazards. Protective clothing and equipment must be worn as needed. The employee must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch, and fine-hand manipulation skills.

Requirements

Active Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license issued by the state in which the employee practices.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association, to be obtained within 45 days unless the department leader determines it is not required.
Completion of an accredited or approved program in Practical Nursing.
No experience required.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with patients, staff, and physicians.
Strong organization, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
Proficient computer skills, including keyboarding, navigating a Windows operating system, and using electronic mail, with exposure to electronic medical record systems.
Ability to perform frequent sitting, standing, walking, lifting, squatting, bending, twisting, crawling, kneeling, climbing, and reaching above the shoulders.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist, lift up to 20 pounds overhead, carry up to 40 pounds a reasonable distance, push or pull with 30 pounds of force, and perform a sliding transfer of 150 pounds with a second person present.
Ability to use functional speech, vision, hearing, touch, and fine-hand manipulation skills.
Ability to operate equipment essential to the job and wear protective clothing and equipment as needed.

Responsibilities

Prepare and room patients for examinations by obtaining vital signs and documenting or updating pertinent health information, including chief complaint, allergies, and medications.
Perform laboratory procedures, such as strep testing, wound cultures, and specimen collection, using aseptic technique and standard precautions.
Assist physicians and other providers with procedures and surgeries, including pelvic exams, allergy scratch testing, EMG, cautery, and colposcopy.
Administer medications under provider orders, including immunizations, antibiotics, pain medications, vitamins, topical agents, and insulin.
Initiate, maintain, and discontinue IV therapy within applicable limitations, including administering selected fluids with premixed medications.
Provide basic patient education about tasks, skills, treatment, and self-care.
Follow through on procedure and test requests, prescription refills, appointment changes, and referrals to other facilities or services.
Refer questions to registered nurses and providers according to scope-of-practice guidelines and relay information to patients as directed.
Communicate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team and document and communicate accurate, timely information about patient conditions.
Perform advanced clinical tasks after demonstrating competency and under clinical supervision, such as suture and staple removal, catheterization, audiograms, laboratory procedures, EKGs, spirometry, Holter monitor application, casting, and complex wound care.
Organize and prepare exam rooms, laboratory and work areas by cleaning, stocking, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment.
Perform patient positioning and transportation duties, including lifting and pushing/pulling using proper technique.
Complete routine maintenance and quality monitoring of clinic equipment and clean, sterilize, and care for instruments and other equipment using appropriate techniques.
Participate in patient-centered initiatives, care management, and performance and quality improvement activities.
Provide care responsive to patients’ age-specific needs and demonstrate knowledge of growth and development across the life span.