Licensed Practical Nurse - Crisis Intervention Center

Crawford County Mental Health Center•Girard, KS

21h

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works at the Crawford County Crisis Intervention Center (CC-CIC), providing nursing care, crisis intervention, and medication management for adult patients with acute and chronic psychiatric conditions, including co-occurring substance use disorders. The role requires patient-centered care, strong communication, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team in a high-acuity environment. The LPN assists with nursing assessments, monitors patient condition and response to treatment, administers medications and prescribed treatments within LPN scope of practice, and collects laboratory specimens. The role also involves crisis de-escalation, maintaining patient safety, following restraint and seclusion requirements, completing clinical documentation, contributing to treatment and discharge planning, and providing patient and family education and support. The LPN helps maintain supplies and safe medication management, follows regulatory and organizational requirements, participates in competency and emergency-preparedness training, and demonstrates professional conduct with patients, families, colleagues, and external partners. The position is funded through external grant funding; continued employment is contingent on the availability and continuation of grant funds and is not guaranteed.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age.
Current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Kansas.
Graduate of an accredited nursing program with an Associate Degree in Nursing (AND), as written in the posting.
Experience with trauma-informed care and de-escalation techniques is required.
Knowledge of behavioral health crisis intervention, psychiatric medications, and trauma-informed principles.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR and First Aid certification, as required by the Center.
Successfully complete required criminal history and background checks, including applicable Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and KDADS requirements.
Meet applicable tuberculosis screening requirements, including documentation of required TB testing or chest X-ray and additional screening following potential exposure, in accordance with applicable requirements.
Provide required health documentation from an authorized medical practitioner confirming ability to perform assigned duties or identifying necessary accommodations.
Possess the physical ability, readiness, and stamina to safely perform essential duties, including responding effectively during behavioral health crises, emergencies, and other high-pressure situations.
Obtain Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) certification; training is provided.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is preferred.
Experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing, crisis intervention, emergency care, or inpatient behavioral health settings is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with nursing assessments by obtaining and documenting vital signs, gathering health information, observing physical and mental status, reporting findings and changes, and assisting with appropriate withdrawal-monitoring tools within LPN scope of practice.
Monitor patient condition and response to treatment, including mental and physical status, clinical symptoms, medication effectiveness, adverse effects, and treatment outcomes; promptly communicate significant observations to the RN and/or appropriate provider.
Administer medications and prescribed treatments safely and accurately within LPN scope of practice; monitor and report therapeutic effects, side effects, and adverse reactions.
Collect, label, handle, and prepare laboratory specimens according to provider orders, policies, infection-control standards, and laboratory requirements.
Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation in acute psychiatric emergencies, including suicidal ideation, self-harm, aggression, and behavioral escalation, following established protocols.
Promote patient safety by supporting individualized safety plans, suicide and self-harm precautions, elopement prevention, infection control, and other facility safety measures.
Follow restraint and seclusion requirements, including applicable regulations, policies, authorization, monitoring, documentation, and use of the least restrictive interventions necessary for safety.
Maintain accurate, clear, concise, and timely clinical documentation, completing required documentation by the end of the shift.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team to support coordinated patient care.
Participate in treatment and discharge planning within LPN scope of practice and support coordination of services, referrals, follow-up care, and safe transitions from the CIC.
Provide patient and family education and support within LPN scope of practice and established treatment plans; protect patient rights and promote a supportive, therapeutic, trauma-informed environment.
Maintain medical supplies and support safe medication management, including inventory and appropriate storage of medications and controlled substances.
Comply with confidentiality, LPN scope of practice, emergency procedures, patient rights, security, state and federal regulations, Center policies, procedures, and supervisory direction.
Complete and participate in required orientation, continuing education, in-service training, crisis-intervention and trauma-informed care training, emergency-response training, and drills.
Demonstrate professional conduct and effective working relationships, represent the Center consistently with its mission and policies, accept supervision, and incorporate constructive feedback.