Mental Health LVN/LPN (Evening)

Discovery Behavioral Health•Fairfield, CT

96d•$24 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program is hiring an LVN/LPN to provide compassionate, patient-centered nursing care to individuals experiencing addiction, eating disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or licensed provider, the LVN/LPN supports safe medication administration, monitors patient health status, and contributes to a collaborative, multidisciplinary treatment environment. The role promotes patient safety, dignity, and recovery across the continuum of care. This is a full-time, on-site position in Stamford, Connecticut, scheduled Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The compensation range is $24.00–$35.00 per hour. Role-specific duties may vary by program. Residential treatment duties can include transporting and supervising patients, including to medical appointments, if pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle. In the Substance and Mental Health Use Disorder Division, the LVN/LPN monitors CIWA/COW scores for patients on detoxification protocols and assists Utilization Review with pertinent nursing information. In the Eating Disorder Division, the LVN/LPN supervises and supports patients during meals, may sit with patients for at least one meal or snack per week as needed for program coverage, maintains NG tubes and administers bolus feeds where applicable, and follows the division’s clinical and dietary models and policies. Discovery Behavioral Health states that it seeks a diverse workforce reflective of the patients and communities it serves, is an equal opportunity employer, and maintains a drug-free workplace with pre-employment substance abuse testing.

Requirements

Graduate of an approved nursing program.
Current licensure from an appropriate state licensing board in good standing.
Knowledge of industry standards, organization, theory, principles, and research processes; accreditation and regulatory standards; assessment of clinical care requirements based on nursing principles; and scope of practice.
Knowledge of medications, indications, dosage ranges, side effects, and potential toxicity.
Current Basic Life Support (CPR and First Aid) certification.
Obtain CPI certification within 90 days of hire.
Eating Disorder and Mental Health Division: obtain Serv Safe certification within 90 days of hire, if applicable.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a staff nurse, preferably in chemical dependency and/or behavioral health.
One year of experience working in mental health, substance use, or eating disorders.

Responsibilities

Provide direct nursing care to a diverse behavioral health population in a safe, therapeutic, recovery-oriented environment.
Collect relevant clinical data within the LVN/LPN scope of practice and perform vital signs, basic assessments, and approved procedures.
Observe, document, and promptly report changes in mental status, physical condition, or safety risks; respond to emergencies and escalate concerns as needed.
Administer prescribed medications, including PRNs, and document administration, patient response, and effectiveness within required timelines.
Maintain Medication Administration Records; perform medication counts, reconciliation, and audits; enter medication orders into the electronic medical record as directed; and verify and secure medications brought in by patients, families, or providers.
Collaborate with Registered Nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, and interdisciplinary team members, and communicate admissions and changes in patient status to appropriate team members.
Reinforce patient education about medication adherence and safe medication use within the LVN/LPN scope of practice.
Maintain accurate, timely, compliant clinical documentation; document incidents, medication errors, and safety concerns according to organizational protocols.
Follow state, federal, and organizational regulations, privacy and confidentiality requirements, policies, procedures, the Code of Conduct, and Corporate Compliance Policy.
Deliver care using the nursing process under RN or provider supervision; maintain professionalism and accountability; participate in required training, competency validations, and ongoing professional development; and perform additional duties as assigned.
For residential treatment, provide patient transportation and supervision, including transportation to medical appointments, if pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle.
For Substance and Mental Health Use Disorder Division assignments, monitor CIWA/COW scores for patients on detoxification protocols and assist Utilization Review by communicating pertinent nursing information.
For Eating Disorder Division assignments, supervise and support patients during meal periods, sit with patients for at least one meal or snack per week as needed to cover the program schedule, adhere to the CFD Clinical Model and Dietary CARE model and Center for Discovery policies, and maintain NG tubes and administer bolus feeds where applicable.