LPN- IOP/PHP

Rogers Behavioral Health•Iowa City, IA

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) performs basic nursing activities to help patients achieve or regain and maintain the greatest possible physical, emotional, and social functioning. The role is limited and governed by applicable state nursing laws, regulations, standards of practice, and Rogers Memorial Hospital policies and procedures. The LPN implements care for an assigned patient load and observes, documents, and monitors patients’ psychiatric and physical status and responses to treatment under the direction of a registered nurse (RN). The position works with patients in IOP/PHP programs and supports care planning, medication administration, safety, patient rights, orientation, and daily program schedules. The LPN contributes to nursing assessments and treatment planning, processes physician orders, supports admission and discharge activities, and provides care in complex situations under the applicable standards and general supervision of an authorized medical professional. The role includes monitoring for changes in condition and medication effects, using appropriate de-escalation and safety practices, supporting tube feeding care when ordered, and helping patients with hygiene, meals, and their environment. The position also involves maintaining regulatory and safety standards, protecting patient privacy, advocating for patients, participating in continuing education and performance-improvement work, supporting staff and student learning as directed, and communicating professionally with patients, families, coworkers, and external parties. Schedule: Monday through Friday, typically 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Requirements

Current Licensed Practical Nurse license in good standing with the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing or the state board for the Rogers clinical facility where the employee practices.
American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification or American Red Cross Professional Rescue certification within 30 days of hire, with annual recertification.
Formal training in management of the aggressive patient within 60 days of hire, with annual recertification.

Nice To Haves

Previous psychiatric experience with children, adolescents, and adults is preferred.

Responsibilities

Implement patient care for an assigned patient load according to care plans, hospital policies, unit standards, and patients’ age-specific and cultural needs.
Observe, document, and monitor patients’ psychiatric and physical changes and responses to treatment under RN direction, including admission data collection, discharge documentation, medication reconciliation, and medication administration.
Identify potential care problems, abrupt changes, or instability; intervene appropriately to help prevent adverse outcomes.
Use appropriate de-escalation and safety measures, including quiet rooms, locked seclusion, or restraints, and reevaluate patient safety levels.
Identify alcohol withdrawal syndrome and significant cardiac or respiratory symptoms requiring immediate medical intervention.
Participate in nursing assessments, obtain and process physician orders, complete medication reconciliation orders, and create treatment plans in complex patient situations as directed.
Prepare tube-feeding dosages according to physician orders and administer bolus feedings when applicable.
Administer medications accurately; document medications and patient responses; monitor for adverse reactions and interactions; transcribe and implement medication orders after RN approval; provide medication education; and obtain medication consent.
Learn program schedules and assist patients in following them.
Support patients’ hygiene, physical environment, personal belongings, meals, and food-intake monitoring as directed.
Monitor the location of patients in assigned areas and accompany patients to meals as needed.
Advocate for patients, explain patient rights, obtain required signatures and consents, assist with grievances, and protect privacy and confidentiality.
Assist with patient orientation and explain unit information while remaining sensitive to patient and family stressors.
Follow hospital safety, infection-control, contraband-search, and other applicable nursing and patient-care standards.
Participate in required inservices, continuing education, seminars, meetings, committees, performance-improvement activities, and team projects.
Develop professional goals and skills, discuss progress with the Clinical Services manager, and share relevant continuing-education information with unit staff.
Support department and hospital goals, maintain policies and procedures, and contribute to regulatory compliance, including Joint Commission and applicable state requirements.
Maintain or communicate function backlogs and educate new staff or other disciplines about relevant requirements as directed.
Accept and train student interns as directed.
Demonstrate punctuality, preparedness, effective organization and communication, professional conduct, and a positive, solution-focused approach to work and workplace concerns.
Comply with hospital policies and programs, including Human Resources, Infection Control, and Employee Health requirements, and wear appropriate professional attire.