Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health (BHIP)

Department of Veterans Affairs•Tucson, AZ

46d•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN is a vital member of the Mental Health Nursing Service (MHNS) Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs (BHIP) Teams. The position is under the guidance of the BHIP Clinical Nurse Manager, who reports to the Chief, Mental Health Nursing, who reports to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services. The incumbent is required to review medication orders and collaborate with the assigned BHIP Team. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN is a vital member of the Mental Health Nursing Service (MHNS) Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs Teams (BHIP). The position is under the guidance of the BHIP Clinical Nurse Manager, who reports to the Chief, Mental Health Nursing, who reports to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services. The incumbent is required to review medication orders and collaborate with the assigned BHIP Team. The incumbent provides long acting injectable behavioral health medications, and vaccines. The incumbent completes vital signs, 12 Lead EKGs and mental health clinical reminders for their BHIP team if needed, assists with other BHIP teams within BHIP Clinic. The incumbent provides short term one-to-one, eyes on care/close observation to maintain safety for suicidal and homicidal patients in their clinic work areas. The incumbent is required to provide all care in accordance with VHA policy to ensure that the services requested and provided are appropriate, timely and cost effective. The LPN is responsible to train and function as Telehealth Care Technicians in the BHIP clinic as needed.

Responsibilities

Evaluates the Veteran's condition and current status, and communicate timely to appropriate BHIP Team Members.
Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments per established policies/procedures.
Administers immunizations per established policies/procedures.
Provides for 12 LEAD EKG completion as needed.
Provides for Vital Signs completion and timely documentation.
Provides for Telehealth CVT patient care for BHIP Clinic as needed.
Assists Veterans in learning self-medication management.
Effectively executes walk-in management per BHIP policies and protocols.
Assists other staff to prioritize the overall veteran care needs.
Has astute screening skills, which allow for observation of obvious and acute changes in the veteran health condition.
Responds diligently to the veteran changes and deteriorating condition in emergent situations, notifying appropriate BHIP personnel in a timely manner.
Facilitates point of care labs as needed.
Provides for mental health clinical reminders as needed and directed for BHIP Teams.
Provides for eyes on, one-on-one patient care for crisis management as needed.
Assures continuing improvement of service to patients through effective customer service.
Interacts with the family and/or significant others to facilitate Veteran's self-care.
Assures detailed, current, and comprehensive documentation is contained in the patient medical record and other pertinent records.
Demonstrates flexibility by willing and promptly accepting changes in work assignment and locations in support of the SAVAHCS and Mental Health Service mission.