licensed Vocational Nurse

First Steps Recovery•Clovis, CA

20d•$31 - $36

About The Position

First Steps Recovery is an accredited behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment facility. The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) works under the direct supervision of the Medical Operations Manager and delivers medical services and direct client care in inpatient detoxification and residential settings. The role works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to provide consistent care at or above established standards, using positive behavioral supports, trauma-informed care, person-centered practices, and least-restrictive approaches. The LVN or LPT models, coaches, instructs, and trains clients in basic nursing care and behavioral interventions, and provides support and leadership to assigned nursing and supportive staff. The position helps ensure nursing staffing requirements are met and assists with staff orientation and training. The role also supports regulatory compliance, client admissions and level-of-care decisions, medical coordination, nursing documentation, medication processes, quality improvement, and the development and implementation of nursing policies. The position may involve assignments at different sites, extended hours, varying shifts, on-call guidance to staff, and prompt response to medical or psychiatric emergencies during assigned hours. Work involves clients with a range of physical and psychiatric symptoms related to substance use and mental health disorders. The environment may include exposure to communicable diseases, blood-borne pathogens, medications, needles, and illicit substances. The role is a mandated reporter of observed or suspected abuse or neglect.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
LVN or LPT license.
Valid driver’s license.
CPR and First Aid certification.
Negative TB test.
Medical clearance to work.
Ability to pass a background check.
Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening.
Computer literacy in documents, spreadsheets, and email.
Robust knowledge of detoxification medications and protocols.
Ability to multitask, delegate tasks, manage client care, and maintain facility standards.
Sensitivity and understanding when working with multicultural populations and cultural diversity.
Ability and willingness to work with clients experiencing a wide variety of physical and psychiatric symptoms related to substance abuse and mental health disorders.
Sufficient strength, agility, endurance, and sensory ability to perform the duties described.
Ability to follow infectious-control procedures and wear gloves when exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissue is possible.

Nice To Haves

Two years of college, preferably with an emphasis in Human Services.
Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certification.
One to two years of experience in recovery or equivalent human services work.
Prior experience in a detox environment.
Proficiency in KIPU Systems Client Management Software.

Responsibilities

Deliver medical elements of the program, provide direct client care, and carry out treatment interventions in accordance with company philosophy and established standards.
Model, coach, instruct, and train clients in basic nursing care and behavioral interventions using positive behavioral supports, trauma-informed care, person-centered practices, and least-restrictive approaches.
Carry out basic nursing responsibilities at inpatient detoxification and residential work sites and participate in the development and direction of the department.
Provide direct support and leadership to assigned unlicensed nursing and psychiatric staff, certified nursing or medical assistants, and other supportive staff; provide functional supervision of other disciplines when required.
Help ensure nursing staffing requirements are met and assist the Medical Operations Manager with orientation and training of assigned nursing staff.
Maintain compliance with HIPAA responsibilities and ensure applicable Department of Health Care Services and Joint Commission policies and procedures are followed.
Adhere to program and medical protocols, standards, policies, and procedures; participate in quality improvement activities and support program performance measurement and outcome evaluations.
Promote compliance with regulatory requirements and community standards of care, and guide staff in facilitating and encouraging clients to exercise their rights.
Participate in interdisciplinary staff meetings to discuss, evaluate, and develop comprehensive treatment plans; attend assigned in-service training and collaborate with staff on company goals.
Coordinate ongoing medical care for clients and guide assigned staff in person, by phone as needed (on-call), or through other appropriate communication channels.
Ensure assigned tasks are carried out within the individual scope of practice.
Ensure compliance with medical policies and procedures for nursing interventions, education, outcome assessments, and documentation; assist with developing, educating on, implementing, and revising nursing policies.
Maintain knowledge of client backgrounds, needs, strengths, and goals; advocate for client needs and ensure timely, appropriate documentation of nursing assessments, interventions, outcomes, and client interactions.
Consult with Medical, Executive, and Admissions Teams about the appropriateness of new intakes for the designated level of care; provide nursing recommendations, coaching, and training when nursing processes are required.
Promote client self-reliance and independence in activities.
Coordinate the medical and nursing aspects of new client admissions and facilitate appropriate client grouping during admission and treatment.
Initiate and review the continued appropriateness of each client’s level-of-care designation and manage applicable assessment and observation intervals.
Oversee medication ordering, storage, administration, and destruction processes.
Immediately identify, report, and/or correct hazards, unsafe environmental situations, or defective equipment.
Train new direct care and supportive staff, monitor their job performance, report performance issues to the Medical Operations Manager, and support training for deficiencies or quality improvement needs.
Facilitate team building and collaboration between operational departments.
Serve as a resource to the Medical Operations Manager and Medical Staff, communicating concerns, problems, and needs related to the proper functioning of inpatient work sites.
Act on behalf of the Nurse Supervisor during their absence when designated and within the position holder’s professional scope of practice.
Respond promptly to medical or psychiatric emergencies during assigned working hours.
Report observed or suspected abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter.
Perform other duties as assigned.