Per Diem Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Overview Provide direct service and daily nursing care in a clinically intensive program designed to meet the needs of clients/persons served who have both medical needs and psychiatric needs and/or developmental disabilities. Ensure that care is provided in a respectful, dignified, high quality manner and that it promotes individual choices. Help clients/persons served to become participants in their communities.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the comprehensive assessment of physical health of each client/person served upon admission, and with any change in medical status.
• Provide nursing care, teaching, and assistance in daily living activities according to each client’s/person served care plan including but not limited to wound care, diabetes care, mouth care, foot care, GT/JT care, nutritional management, catheter maintenance and care. Monitor and observe clients for any change in status.
• Implement IAPs. Use recovery-oriented, motivational interviewing, harm-reduction, trauma informed, culturally competent and strengths-based rehabilitation approaches to help clients think through their current life circumstances compared with their hopes and plans for the future.
• Communicate any change in status of clients/ persons served to appropriate individuals including Program Manager, primary care provider, family and/or guardian and other outside agencies.
• Perform individualized assessments with any change of status and provide skilled nursing interventions as indicated.
• Take and document client’s temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure per IAP and as ordered by the primary care clinician.
• Collect sputum, urine and stool samples as appropriate and ordered by the primary care clinician.
• Administer medication as ordered by primary care provider.
• Administer treatments as ordered by primary care provider.
• Maintain client’s/persons served medical equipment and supplies that includes, but is notlimited to wheelchairs, walkers, Hoyer lifts, and hospital beds.
• Provide transportation and accompany individual served to medical, dental, or anyappointment, as needed.
• Participate in trainings; attend supervision meetings, staff meetings, as needed.
• Adhere to all company and divisional and program specific policies and procedures,including safe work practices, worker’s compensation, universal precautions andexposure control. Comply with accreditation and licensing standards, as well as allregulations.
• Contribute to program’s quality improvement goals and objectives.
• Use crisis intervention techniques when necessary. Access on-call back up whenneeded. Complete incident documentation, as needed.
• Ensure maintenance and safety of physical site.
• Perform other related duties, as required. Knowledge and Skills:
• Knowledge of psychiatric illness and/or developmental disabilities
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Ability to balance competing priorities
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment About Vinfen Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers My Vinfen. My Community. My Job. Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

Typical Requirements: Experience working with people with psychiatric disabilities/developmental disabilities and medical illnesses and other co-occurring disorders preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training. Preferred /Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Associate’s degree in Nursing is required Driving Requirements: May be called on to drive for Vinfen using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver’s license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver’s screening background check, which is subject to annual checks. If driving, must maintain a safe driving record. If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance. Physical Effort:Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist PS with tasks of daily living. Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed. Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with PS, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Required Certifications: CPR is required within two weeks of hire Safety Care is required within 90 days of hire Required Credentials/Licenses: LPN in state of service required Pay Range USD $38.44 - USD $38.44 /Hr.