SENIOR LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE-F/C - 60005303

State of Florida • CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the Senior Licensed Practical Nurse – F/C within the Nursing Services Unit / Unit 21. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.
Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.
Florida State Hospital (FSH) is a mental health treatment facility owned and operated by the State of Florida and is part of the Department of Children and Families. The department’s mission is to “work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.”

Requirements

• Knowledge of nursing principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
• Skill in the use of medical equipment and instruments used in providing nursing care.
• Ability to demonstrate manual dexterity in providing nursing care.
• Ability to administer medications and treatments.
• Ability to work with patients.
• Ability to interpret and follow medical instructions.
• Ability to observe patients' symptoms and reactions to treatment.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Licensure as a practical nurse in accordance with Florida Statute 464 or eligible to practice nursing in accordance with Florida Administrative Code 210-8.22 or 8.27 and one year of professional nursing experience.

Responsibilities

• This position requires lifting, pulling, and squatting.
• Duties of this position require the incumbent to be knowledgeable of and utilize the principles of Total Quality Management.
• The employee in this position spends a minimum of 75% of his/her time performing duties as outlined in the official position description.
• “Nursing staff will provide guidance in the care and treatment of residents.”
• The incumbent of this position provides practical nursing services to residents assigned under the direction of a Registered Nurse and includes working with multi-disciplinary staff while caring for residents in a psychiatric/medical setting.
• Administer oral and injectable medication and controlled medications in accordance to Unit Dose Policy/Procedure/Guidelines (OP 150-35) and within their scope of practice in a mental health setting within the timeframes specified with completion of paperwork as required.
• Participate in Hospital Infection Control process/program with reporting of potential infections to Registered Nurse/Physician for follow-up care and documentation in required forms.
• Prepares paperwork, administers medication/prep as required for consults to EKG, EEG, X-ray, clinics, outside appointments.
• Assists physician/ARNP/PA during sick call, physical examinations with documentation and routing of referrals/consults, labs as required.
• Coordinates residents’ appointments with ward staff making sure medications are given as required to residents prior to leaving and paperwork given to staff accompanying resident.
• Provide emergency medical/psychiatric treatment within the scope of practice and notify Registered Nurse/Physician/ARNP/PA for assistance as soon as possible.
• Inputs lab orders as assigned or per physician/ARNP/PA orders.
• Reports any problems with medical/nursing equipment to nurse for follow-up.
• Responsive and compliant with current resident rights and advocacy issues; adheres to and complies with unit/hospital and departmental policy/procedures/guidelines.
• Admits and transfers resident to and from other units or outside sources with assistance to Registered Nurse for required admission workup and care.
• Assess resident complaints and determine actions, notifies doctor, when necessary, receives and records verbal and written orders from physician.
• Completes incident reports.
• Completes progress notes on resident care in accordance with Florida State Hospital Operating Procedures/Guidelines, provide documentation in accordance with standards.
• Observes for side effects or adverse effects to medication and reports to registered nurse/physician/ARNP/PA for assessment and follow-up care as needed.
• Schedules, holds, and documents Medication Education groups or 1:1 session as assigned/needed to increase resident's knowledge of medications prescribed and compliance to medication/treatment regimen.
• Maintains/cleans/inventories medical/nursing equipment and supplies in assigned areas with ordering/re-stocking of supplies needed to provide adequate supplies for the residents’ issues/needs.
• Performs other related duties as required to meet the needs of the department and resident's quality care.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Life insurance; $25,000 policy is free plus option to purchase additional life insurance
• Dental, vision and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Tuition waiver for public college courses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree