LPN - ADOLESCENT INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Independence Health System•Latrobe, PA

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a member of the health-care team who exercises sound nursing judgment and provides direct and indirect care to an assigned group of adolescent inpatient behavioral health patients. The LPN works under the direction and supervision of the RN and follows the plan of care based on physician orders and the RN’s assessment. Care includes physical care, emotional support, and patient and family education. The LPN supports assessment, implementation and evaluation of individualized, age-specific care plans; observes and reports changes in patients’ conditions; performs nursing functions permitted by Pennsylvania regulations; and supports rehabilitation, patient education, safety, documentation, and continuity of care. The LPN collaborates with RNs, physicians, patients, families, and other health-care providers, and contributes to quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and cost-conscious department operations. The schedule is based on operational needs and may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call duties. Local travel between system locations may be expected. The work environment may require goggles, a face shield, and a mask according to CDC guidelines during a pandemic. For lifts over 50 pounds, two-person lift assistance and/or a transfer device is required.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Practical Nursing.
Zero to two years of experience in behavioral health.
Current Pennsylvania licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED program.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance.
Strong leadership ability and organizational skills.
Independent and critical-thinking skills and sound judgment.
Knowledge of the legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Nice To Haves

Previous LPN experience.
Experience in a health-care setting.

Responsibilities

Provide direct and indirect patient care in accordance with Pennsylvania Practical Nurse Law, hospital policies and procedures, protocols, and professional standards.
Assist the RN with admission data collection by completing focused, ongoing assessments of patients’ physical, psychosocial, age-related, cultural, and spiritual needs.
Work with the RN to implement individualized, age-specific plans of care and evaluate their effectiveness.
Assist the RN in reassessing patients and take appropriate action according to patient needs and unit policy.
Involve patients, families, and other health-care providers in care when appropriate.
Complete patient-care activities on schedule and maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
Observe, record, and report patients’ general physical and mental condition, symptoms, changes, and interpersonal stresses to the appropriate professional.
Perform nursing functions permitted by Pennsylvania regulations, including administering prescribed medications, immunizations, and therapeutic treatments, and preparing and caring for patients receiving specialized treatments.
Assist with patient rehabilitation according to the medical care plan, encourage patients’ interests and aptitudes, and support activities of daily living within their capabilities.
Apply principles of preventing deformities, normal range of motion, body mechanics, and body alignment.
Support patient education and care coordination to promote health, self-care, and improved outcomes.
Assist the RN in assessing readiness to learn, identifying educational barriers, and adapting education to patients’ needs.
Educate patients on safe and effective medication use, pain management, available resources, obtaining further care, and their responsibilities in care.
Acquire and distribute educational resources tailored to patient needs; provide and review written discharge instructions upon the RN’s request.
Collaborate with physicians and other health-care providers to support patient outcomes and continuity of care.
Communicate relevant information for interdisciplinary conferences, shift reports, and internal and external transfers; report changes in condition to the RN and consult the RN when physician contact or a change in the plan of care may be needed.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities, assist with data collection, and recommend improvements.
Demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, accountability, appropriate delegation, resourcefulness, patient advocacy, and effectiveness as a preceptor or mentor to new hires and/or students.
Assist in maintaining or reducing organizational and departmental costs.
Support compliance with State, TJC, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements; participate in survey readiness and the non-punitive medication reporting system; account for narcotics according to policy; and follow infection-control practices and standard precautions.
Promote patient safety by using two patient identifiers, involving patients and/or families in safety processes, minimizing restraints and monitoring and documenting their use when indicated, and fulfilling the appropriate code-team role during code situations and internal or external disasters.
Perform other duties as assigned.