Licensed Practical Nurse - Full Time - PN20041433

State of Ohio • Athens, OH

43d • Onsite

About The Position

Licensed Practical Nurse Behavioral Health Who we are: At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH. DBH Values: Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused) Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent) Value Driven Innovative (Yes Before No) Strong Sense of Urgency Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team. At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes: Medical Coverage Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more) Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation ) Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position. Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health . This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state. What you’ll do at DBH : This position focuses on supporting adults in a residential setting to develop essential independent living and social skills. The staff member will work directly with assigned consumers, implementing personal and behavior plans and helping with skills such as hygiene, medication management, food preparation, budgeting, and social interactions. The role involves maintaining a safe and supportive environment, de-escalating crises, modeling professional behavior, and transporting consumers to appointments as necessary. Staff will work closely with team members to develop individualized service plans, document progress, and maintain the facility’s cleanliness, contributing to a structured and supportive community.

Requirements

• License to practice nursing as a licensed practical nurse issued by Ohio Board of Nursing pursuant to Section 4723 Ohio Revised Code & proof of completion of an approved course in medication administration.
• Note\: Licensed Practical Nurses who administer dialysis treatment must possess Certification in IV Therapy pursuant to Section 4723.17 Ohio Revised Code.

Responsibilities

• Administers oxygen; applies sterile dressing; adheres to infection control practices; inserts catheters; reinserts gastrostomy tubes, suctions, irrigates wounds; collects specimens; assists physicians with physical exams, treatments &/or laboratory tests; assists in emergencies by administering first-aid, performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; restrains patients as necessary; administers controlled drugs [e.g., narcotics, minor tranquilizers] & non-controlled medication in oral, rectal, topical or injectable form [i.e., intramuscular & subcutaneous injections only] & provides medication instructions to patients).
• Maintains medication accountability records (e.g., charts patient records, prepares & counts medication, maintains medication stock & medical equipment & supplies); observes, documents & reports patient conditions (e.g., medication reactions, treatment responses, patient behavior & progress) & prepares &/or maintains related reports & records (e.g., unusual incident reports, patient records, medication reports, seclusion/restraint logs, treatment plan).
• Provides general nursing, direct care &/or programming assistance (e.g., takes patient vital signs; assists with personal grooming & hygiene, bathing, or daily living activities; administers topical ointments & solutions, eye, ear &/or nose drops; responds to patient codes; escorts patients & assists with recreational activities & scheduled appointments; provides one to one &/or group intervention & patient therapeutic education as stated in the treatment plan).
• Provides assistance (i.e., provides work direction, orientation & training) to lower-level direct care staff (e.g., therapeutic program workers, psychiatric attendants) in providing general unskilled nursing care (e.g., dressing, bathing, feeding) to patients; precepts & provides direction to new LPN staff as assigned; attends & participates in various meetings (e.g., staff conferences, committees, interdisciplinary team meetings, in-service training programs, meetings) as required.
• Orders medication & medical supplies; cleans nursing station & medication room/medication cart (e.g., cleans, sterilizes & restocks cart; defrosts & cleans medication refrigerator) & performs clerical tasks (e.g., answers phone, files); ensures security of ward unit.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed