Licensed Practical Nurse - Crisis

Description

DEFINITIONS:

Provides professional nursing services and assumes responsibility for the direct care of assigned clients at Grand Lake Mental Health Center Crisis Units. Responsible for 24-hour crisis line along with other Crisis staff.  The Department Head for this position is the Chief Clinical Officer of Special Programs.  This position is immediately supervised by the Integrated Health Services Administrator and the Registered Nurse on shift.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible and immediately supervised by the Integrated Health Services Administrator and the Registered Nurse on shift.

This position is responsible and held accountable for the following:

• Meets with personnel of area medical facilities to advise regarding mental health and co-occurring disorder issues.
• Responds to emergency telephone calls from clients, provides crisis counseling, supportive counseling, or referral to other therapists based on clients needs.
• Completes medication profiles and inventories.
• Administers prescribed medication including injections and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques, Oklahoma licensing laws, and provider orders.
• Takes temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs to monitor patient progress and to detect reactions to drugs, treatments, and environmental changes; evaluates status of client through visual examination.
• Obtains labs using aseptic technique per provider orders.
• Advises other staff members regarding medical issues and client medication under direction of RN or Provider.
• Assist provider in evaluation of physical complaints, and mental health problems either face to face or via telemed.
• Maintains current training on psycho pharmacotherapy and detoxification.

If directed by the in charge Registered Nurse:

I.  Assumes responsibility for clients admitted to Grand Lake Mental Health Center Crisis Units:

• Upon admission, determines and allocates the type and amount of care required to satisfy the needs of each client.
• Ensures the effectiveness of care provided through maintenance and review of clinical charts.
• Observes client’s symptoms and reports on the conditions of clients, notifies provider if condition warrants.
• Intervenes in crisis situations, utilizing verbal intervention effectively per Therapeutic Options.
• Administers medications and treatments per provider orders.
• Audit charts for documentation to be updated such as Neuroleptic Consent forms.
• Assist provider on daily rounds.
• Order drugs for Unit, if required.
• Maintain current certification in Therapeutic Options, CPR and First Aid.
• Crisis line phone services as required.
• Maintain and record Crisis Line calls.

II. Functions as a member of an inter-disciplinary team:

• Communicates with provider responsible for the care of the clients in order to coordinate team participation in client care.
• Participates in inter-disciplinary team conferences.
• May assist the family and other appropriate personnel with the admission, discharge or transfer of clients.
• May orient and inform the family of the general care plan and the Crisis Center’s procedures and routine.
• Interprets policy and procedure to determine conformance to recognized standards of Grand Lake Mental Health Center outpatient services.
• • Regular and predictable attendance is an essential job requirement.
  • Employee must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position (this may include transportation of clients).
  • Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management as requested.
  • Participates in staff meetings.
  • Must meet “satisfactory” expectations at any scheduled job performance evaluation.  Quality of work will be evaluated through training, skill, or special purpose.  Must be competent and adequate.

Must perform the specific job duties as listed above to meet position expectations.

In addition, must possess skill in working cooperatively and effectively with clients, staff, management and other professional groups; in exercising mature judgement in dealing with people; in presenting ideas clearly and accurately; in reading and comprehending the English language; an in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Completion of an approved program of formal education leading to a practical nursing certification, or any other approved method of obtaining registration as an LPN in the State of Oklahoma.

An expectation of core competencies in relation to individuals with co-occurring disorders.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of professional nursing theory, practices and techniques; medical supplies, sanitation and personal hygiene; nutrition and diet therapy; principles and methods of teaching; nursing standards for institutional certification; departmental procedures; and personal principles and methods.

Skill in developing, planning and administering of commonly used medications, assessing condition and needs of clients.

Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques, physiology related to psychological and behavioral problems