Licensed Practical Nurse

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides nursing support to children, adolescents, and families receiving behavioral health and psychiatric services. The LPN works as an integral member of an interdisciplinary behavioral health team.

The LPN supports the delivery of safe, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered psychiatric services by monitoring youth for changes in physical and behavioral health status, assisting with medication-related services, obtaining vital signs, providing health education, communicating concerns to the appropriate clinical provider, and supporting coordination of care.

The LPN is expected to maintain a professional therapeutic relationship with youth and families while recognizing that behavioral health treatment often requires attention to both psychiatric and physical health needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide nursing services to children and adolescents receiving outpatient behavioral health and psychiatric services within the LPN's legal scope of practice
• Obtain and document vital signs, height, weight, and other health information as clinically indicated.
• Assist with medication-related services in accordance with physician/provider orders, agency policy, Ohio law, and the LPN's scope of practice.
• Reinforce education provided by the psychiatric provider regarding medications, treatment recommendations, health conditions, and wellness.
• Identify changes in presentation, behavior, mood, functioning, or physical condition that may require additional clinical intervention.
• Recognize potential psychiatric or medical emergencies and initiate appropriate agency emergency and crisis procedures.
• Participate in coordination of care with staff.
• Provide health and wellness education to youth and families appropriate to the LPN's scope of practice.
• Support youth and families in understanding the importance of medication adherence, follow-up appointments, physical health monitoring, and communication with healthcare providers.
• Participate in treatment-team meetings and case consultation as appropriate to the position.
• Provide basic nursing duties to clients that are in the office as needed

Medication Support

• Assist with medication reconciliation and identification of discrepancies according to agency procedures.
• Review medication-related information with youth and families within the LPN's scope of practice.
• Monitor for medication side effects, adverse reactions, and changes in physical or behavioral presentation.
• Communicate medication concerns promptly to the prescribing psychiatric provider and supervising RN.
• Coordinate with pharmacies and other healthcare providers when authorized and clinically appropriate.
• Maintain accurate medication-related documentation.
• Follow all agency policies regarding medication storage, administration, disposal, documentation, and security.

Youth and Family Support

• Establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships with children, adolescents, parents, guardians, and caregivers.
• Utilize trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate communication when interacting with youth.
• Provide support and education to families regarding behavioral health and physical health needs.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Respect the rights, dignity, confidentiality, culture, preferences, and individual needs of each youth and family.
• Promote youth and family participation in treatment and encourage appropriate communication with members of the treatment team.

Documentation and Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate nursing documentation.
• Document vital signs, medication-related observations, nursing interventions, education, communications, and follow-up activities as applicable.
• Maintain compliance with agency documentation requirements, Medicaid requirements, applicable Ohio Administrative Code requirements, and payer standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and all applicable privacy requirements.
• Participate in quality improvement, chart audits, utilization review, and other compliance activities as assigned.
• Maintain all required professional licenses, certifications, trainings, and competencies.
• Practice only within the LPN's education, training, competence, legal scope of practice, and agency authorization.

COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION

The LPN is expected to communicate changes in a youth's condition promptly and appropriately and to seek consultation when a situation exceeds the LPN's scope, training, or competency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current, unrestricted Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Ohio.
• Graduation from an approved practical nursing program.
• Current CPR/BLS certification or ability to obtain within the agency-required timeframe.
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks and agency screening requirements.
• Ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, families, and individuals experiencing behavioral health concerns.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One or more years of nursing experience.
• Experience working with children or adolescents.
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric services, developmental disabilities, residential treatment, community mental health, pediatric healthcare, or school-based healthcare.
• Experience working with psychiatric medications and monitoring medication side effects.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary behavioral health team.
• Training in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, or de-escalation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of basic psychiatric and behavioral health conditions affecting children and adolescents.
• Knowledge of common psychiatric medications and potential side effects.
• Ability to recognize changes in a youth's physical and behavioral presentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with youth and families.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during behavioral or psychiatric crises.
• Ability to recognize situations requiring immediate consultation or emergency intervention.
• Ability to accurately document services and clinical observations.
• Ability to work independently while appropriately seeking supervision and consultation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, youth-centered, and family-centered care.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

The position may require:

• Sitting, standing, walking, and occasional bending.
• Movement throughout clinical and community settings.
• Ability to respond to behavioral or medical emergencies.
• Occasional exposure to emotionally charged or unpredictable situations.
• Ability to safely interact with children and adolescents who may experience behavioral dysregulation.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

The LPN shall:

• Practice within the scope of the Ohio LPN license and applicable Ohio laws and regulations.
• Follow the Ohio Board of Nursing standards for competent nursing practice.
• Maintain professional competency in all areas of assigned practice.
• Follow agency policies, procedures, mission, values, and code of ethics.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with youth, families, and coworkers.
• Protect confidential information.
• Demonstrate respect, compassion, cultural responsiveness, and professionalism.
• Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, safety concerns, or other mandated-reporting situations in accordance with applicable law and agency policy.

Pay: From $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person