Licensed Practical Nurse (40 Hour) Office/On-site #260715-5415FK-001

Position Highlights

• Division: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)
• Unit: Behavioral Health Home (BHH)
• Location: Torrington, CT
• Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), First Shift
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

About the Role

This position plays an important role in supporting individuals in recovery through integrated, person-centered care. The Licensed Practical Nurse provides nursing care for the Behavioral Health Home initiative within the LPN scope of practice, including administering medications in accordance with nursing standards and DMHAS policies and procedures, and providing services to individuals in recovery.

Responsibilities

• Document client contact and treatment to meet Joint Commission and agency standards
• Implement recovery plan interventions and maintain a safe therapeutic environment
• Co-lead psychoeducation groups and classes
• Collaborate with behavioral health and medical staff to ensure coordinated, holistic care
• Assist individuals in accessing services including health screenings, primary care, housing, transportation, and substance use treatment
• Deliver BHH services including comprehensive care management, care coordination, health promotion, transitional care, individual and family supports, and community resource referrals
• Assist doctors and nurses in the general care and treatment of individuals
• Measure doses and administer medications including insulin injections
• Document medications using appropriate forms
• Perform narcotic counts
• Check and may administer intravenous medications
• Report changes in individuals to doctors
• Ensure that restraints are applied correctly
• Transcribe doctors' medication orders
• Dispense certain medications in doctor's absence
• Apply topical medication
• Take and chart temperatures, pulses and respirations
• Perform simple nursing treatments
• Monitor general individual needs including personal hygiene
• Report on individual conditions and behavior
• Keep the unit safe and healthy
• Administer enemas or suppositories
• Perform Foley catheterization care
• Orient individuals concerning medications and their use
• May perform emergency first aid
• May drive individual to necessary appointments/outings
• Perform related duties as required

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: License or temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut by the State Board of Examiners for Nursing OR hold a Multistate or Compact Licensed Practical Nurse license.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience providing health and wellness education to individuals with mental health conditions
• Experience treating individuals with chronic medical conditions
• Experience treating individuals with serious and persistent mental illness
• Experience treating individuals with substance use disorders
• Experience with integrated care service delivery

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Knowledge of practical nursing specialties and bedside care
• Knowledge of various medications used in conjunction for the care of individuals who have physical disabilities and/or an intellectual disability
• Knowledge of infection control practices
• Knowledge of nutrition and diets
• Knowledge of medical and lab sciences
• Considerable interpersonal skills
• Oral communication and written skills
• Ability to keep records
• Ability to lead staff

Working Conditions

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift/restrain individuals; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to some risk of injury from assaultive/abusive individuals; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.