Licensed Practical Nurse

Ranked one of Tennessee’s top places to work, MHC is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Where clients and associates are treated the same, as equals.

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) was formed in 1993 to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.  Since then, we have expanded our services to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Our sole purpose is to support and treat those challenged with serious mental illness and poverty. Although based out of Nashville, we serve several communities across middle and East Tennessee with satellite offices in Antioch, Gallatin, Dickson, Columbia, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. 

If you are interested in joining a team that is caring, collaborative, innovative and energizing this might be a great place for you!

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) supports the licensed physician or Advanced Practice Nurse, as well as the overall treatment team, in providing psychiatric care to Consumers in Emergency Psychiatric Services. The LPN works in close collaboration with the team to evaluate the patient's plan of care and progress toward goals.

Job Title: PRN Licensed Practical Nurse, Emergency Psychiatric Services (Nashville, TN)

Schedule: PRN 12-hour shifts (night/weekend availability required)

JOB SUMMARY: The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) supports the licensed physician or Advanced Practice Nurse, as well as the overall treatment team, in providing psychiatric care to Consumers in Emergency Psychiatric Services. The LPN works in close collaboration with the team to evaluate the patient's plan of care and progress toward goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform medication management for consumers in EPS setting.
• Interpret and process Provider’s medication orders for the consumer.
• Provide medication teaching/education for consumers.
• Provide on-going assessment of consumers while in EPS.
• Provide referrals to hospitalization, diversion services, or other recommended disposition.
• Work collaboratively with all disciplines within the Emergency Psychiatric Services team.
• Provides active listening and problem solving with consumer.
• Monitor consumer’s behavior, level of cooperation, and ability to remain safe while in EPS.
• Observe and record consumer’s use of medication as prescribed.
• Perform medical clearances as needed.
• Make customer service a priority with internal and external customers.
• Assist with consumers in other EPS units as needed.
• Attend scheduled nursing and MHC staff meetings.
• Arrange disposition to home, hospital, or other diversion services as necessary.
• Maintain and facilitate communication regarding consumer’s care with all relevant staff.
• Screen for substance toxicity, intoxication, and withdrawal symptoms.
• Screen for danger to self or others.
• With the Consumer served, formulate mutually agreed-upon, measurable treatment goals and objectives.
• Provides general guidance and health education to consumers.
• Demonstrates professional demeanor in all settings and situations.
• Seeks to improve efficiencies and care, suggesting innovative ways to provide for Consumer’s needs.
• Proficient in using the electronic health record.
• Cross-train in other EPS areas.
• Maintain safe and therapeutic environment.
• Complete medication audits as outlined by the agency.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Valid Tennessee LPN License

REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation

ABOUT YOU:

Customer Service/Engagement

• Ability to work with other departments
• Timely engagement
• Good listener
• Understanding and empathetic
• Respectful of internal and external customers

Clinical Skills

• Hand hygiene.
• Critical thinking
• CLIA - Waived testing
• Vital signs
• Nursing assessment
• Provides medication administration and education.
• Suicide Screening

Communication

• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Communicates relevant Consumers updates to team in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate with different levels of Consumers and coworkers

Professionalism

• Leadership skills
• Language
• Remains calm in crisis situations
• Proactive in efforts to meet agency goals
• Health promotion and education in addiction and treatment
• Role model in health promotion and education in addiction and treatment

Time Management/Organization       

• Flexibility to adapt to different clinical settings when needed
• Remain flexible and positive to changing needs
• Meet deadlines
• Flexible
• Prioritize well
• Progress notes entered in timely manner
• Prepared for meetings

Safety

• Therapeutic options de-escalation techniques
• Universal Precautions
• Injection administration
• Narcan administration and education
• Hazardous medication disposal
• Sharps disposal

REPORTING TO THIS POSITION:

• None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Mental Health Cooperative embraces inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. We're committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Mental Health Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.