Per Diem Day Program Nurse (LPN)

Vinfen•Weymouth, MA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides direct service and daily nursing care within a clinically intensive program. The program is designed to meet the needs of clients/persons served who have both medical and psychiatric needs and/or developmental disabilities. The goal is to ensure care is provided in a respectful, dignified, high-quality manner that promotes individual choices and helps clients become active participants in their communities. Vinfen, established in 1977, is a nonprofit health and human services organization. It is a leading provider of community-based services for individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Vinfen's services and advocacy promote recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination, delivered by 3,500 dedicated employees across over 550 sites in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Requirements

Knowledge of psychiatric illness and/or developmental disabilities
Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues
Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources
Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles
Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
Ability to balance competing priorities
Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment.
Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age.
Must have maintained a valid US driver’s license for at least six months.
Must be able to pass a driver’s screening background check, which is subject to annual checks.
If driving, must maintain a safe driving record.
If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.
CPR is required within two weeks of hire.
LPN in Massachusetts.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with people with psychiatric disabilities/developmental disabilities and medical illnesses and other co-occurring disorders preferred.

Responsibilities

Participate in the comprehensive assessment of physical health of each client/person served upon admission, and with any change in medical status.
Provide nursing care, teaching, and assistance in daily living activities according to each client’s/person served care plan including but not limited to wound care, diabetes care, mouth care, foot care, GT/JT care, nutritional management, catheter maintenance and care. Monitor and observe clients for any change in status.
Implement IAPs. Use recovery-oriented, motivational interviewing, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent and strengths-based rehabilitation approaches to help clients think through their current life circumstances compared with their hopes and plans for the future.
Communicate any change in status of clients/ persons served to appropriate individuals including Program Manager, primary care provider, family and/or guardian and other outside agencies.
Perform individualized assessments with any change of status and provide skilled nursing interventions as indicated.
Take and document client’s temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure per IAP and as ordered by the primary care clinician.
Obtain physicians signatures for participation & approval at Day Hab.
Document monthly, annual, and as needed reviews on persons served.
Coordinate communication with day program staff, PCP, guardian, and residence when there are changes in a persons served medical status.
Collect sputum, urine and stool samples as appropriate and ordered by the primary care clinician.
Administer medication as ordered by primary care provider.
Administer treatments as ordered by primary care provider.
Maintain client’s/persons served medical equipment and supplies that includes, but is not limited to wheelchairs, walkers, Hoyer lifts, and hospital beds.
Provide transportation and accompany individual served to medical, dental, or any appointment, as needed.
Participate in trainings; attend supervision meetings, staff meetings, as needed.
Adhere to all company and divisional and program specific policies and procedures, including safe work practices, worker’s compensation, universal precautions and exposure control. Comply with accreditation and licensing standards, as well as all regulations.
Contribute to program’s quality improvement goals and objectives.
Use crisis intervention techniques when necessary. Access on call-back up when needed. Complete incident documentation, as needed.
Ensure maintenance and safety of physical site.
Perform other related duties, as required.