Addiction and Recovery Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN II)

The Department of Mental Health's (DMH) Recovery from Addiction Program (RAP) is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN II) to work with and assist other professional staff in providing day-to-day direct care to individuals with drug and alcohol substance issues. The ideal candidate will possess strong therapeutic interpersonal skills to encourage and motivate individuals in their recovery to work towards treatment goals.

About the Recovery from Addictions Program (RAP)

The Department of Mental Health (DMH), in collaboration with the Department of Public Health (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, operates a statewide Recovery from Addictions Program (RAP) for individuals civilly committed by the courts for substance use treatment for up to 90 days ("Section 35 commitment"). The program provides acute detoxification and early clinical stabilization services, helping clients develop community-based linkages to outpatient supports and substance use disorder treatment providers. RAP offers administrative, medical, clinical, and non-clinical services with a mission to provide quality client-centered care and recovery-oriented treatment.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the maintenance of a safe, secure, and therapeutic unit environment by coordinating staff assignments with the charge nurse on a daily basis.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform nursing tasks, including but not limited to admissions, discharges, safety checks, fire drills, milieu nursing, supervision of visits, collection of specimens, recording vital sign data, and client escorts.
• Ensures timely administration of medication by transcribing orders, ordering medications, stocking the medication room, distributing medications, and recording same on medication sheets according to RAP protocols.
• Utilizes Patient Centered Care and Trauma Informed Care practices.
• Participates in therapeutic interaction with clients on a continuing basis to aid in assessments and ensure the safety of clients and staff.
• Demonstrates knowledge of techniques related to the use of restraint and seclusion, including restraint and seclusion reduction principles comprising skills related to prevention, de-escalation, and debriefing.
• Assists clients in daily health and hygiene by supervising and assisting as needed with nutrition, bathing, dressing, physical exercise, and/or other activities as determined in the client’s treatment plan.

Requirements

• Minimum of one year of experience working with clients who have primary substance use disorders, including knowledge of detoxification protocols such as the CIWA (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol) and COWS (Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale).
• Experience with clients in acute detox and maintenance for substance use disorders, and experience with the medications required for both acute detox and maintenance is strongly preferred.
• Possession of a current and valid license as a practical nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Qualifications

• Demonstrative knowledge of nursing practices and procedures relative to geriatrics, substance use addiction services/medicine.
• Demonstrative knowledge of the custodial care problems (personal hygiene, feeding, grooming, and dressing) of special client groups such as the blind, the hearing impaired, and individuals with disabilities.
• Familiarity with substance use, treatment modalities, and detoxification protocols.
• Knowledge of chemically addicted, dual diagnosed (substance abuse/mental health), or psychiatrically ill clients with co-morbidity.
• At least one year of paraprofessional experience in the field of nursing as a licensed practical nurse.

Schedule

• 40 hours per week on day or evening shift.
• Days off to be determined.
• Selected candidate must attend orientation during the first shift for the first three weeks, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
• Shift Schedules:
  • Day shift: 6:45 AM - 3:15 PM
  • Evening shift: 2:45 PM - 11:15 PM
• Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.

Title 101 CMR 23.00 requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.