LPN Medication Nurse

Overview

Our children's hospital serves children ages 5 to 12 years and adolescent’s ages 13 to 19 years who are in psychiatric crisis. Children whose behaviors are life threatening, destructive or disabling or that require 24-hour monitoring and assessment meet criteria for admission. The program provides assessment and stabilization of psychiatric symptoms. The goal of treatment is to promote the highest level of functioning through an individualized treatment plan. The focus is on returning consumers to their homes or to the least restrictive level of care as quickly as possible, with comprehensive aftercare plans. The estimated stay in this BayPointe program is three to ten days.

Responsibilities

Nurses in a medication role are primarily responsible for completing the admissions process, assisting consumers with personal care, observing consumers’ physical and mental status so that medication side effects are recognized and reported to the RN/physician, assisting with competency training for new employees, and demonstrating the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.

Essential Functions

• Completes the admission process for consumers including: medical checklist, physical health, nutritional screening, medication list, medication administration record, vital signs, height and weight, transcribing physician orders, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), and admission notes if working on the Intermediate Care unit.               
• Observes consumers behavior in groups and activities and documents observations in consumers’ records.
• Interacts with consumers and evaluates needs to ensure that proper information is reported from shift to shift and during the multidisciplinary treatment team meeting.
• Provides nursing care.
• Gives direction to behavioral staff and CNAs as needed.
• Assists consumers with personal care areas like bathing, toileting and other hygiene items; medical appointments, chores, recreational activities and safety issues.
• Prepares and administers medications while observing the Six Rights of medication administration.
• Prepares and administers all wound care/treatments as ordered by the physician.
• Conducts inventory of supplies, equipment and medication.
• Orders and maintains supplies, equipment and medication according to established guidelines so that needed supply is available for consumer care/treatment.
• Collects specimens from consumers as ordered to aide in the provision of treatment/care and in the diagnosis of disease and medical/physical conditions.
• Provides medication education for the consumer and family to include uses and potential side effects.
• Monitors consumers for potential side effects of medications and reports findings to the physician.
• Assists in conducting consumer orientation and other classes/groups in order to promote the consumers’ levels of understanding and coping ability as evidenced by client satisfaction/improvement and outcomes.
• Observes/examines consumers’ physical and mental status so that medication side effects are recognized and reported to the RN/physician, ensuring that the needs for treatment, continuity of care, physical and emotional support are met.
• Effectively communicates findings and observations of consumers’ physical and mental state with the physician.
• Provides on-the-job competency training in order to promote new employee learning and job performance as evidenced by satisfactory completion of employee orientation to the medication system.
• Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit at facility as needed and as directed by management.
• Interfaces with the multi-disciplinary team and actively and cooperatively participates in development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Contacts laboratory, requests and monitors results, and reports all abnormal findings to the physician.
• Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, MindSet, PRN medications) and according to AltaPointe Policy and Procedures.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Participates in meetings and training programs so that information can be shared or communicated, skills may improve, and licensure/credential requirements are met.
• Assists with seclusion and restraints per AltaPointe Policy and Procedures.
• Effectively demonstrates the application of adult competencies.
• Performs hand-off communication at shift change.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
• Actively works to enhance clinical skills.
• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy.
• Documents in clear, concise manner types of consumers’ problems, treatment goals and services provided.
• Documentation shows that forms, notes, logs, and other applicable written information are completed promptly, accurately and updated when appropriate.
• Documents legibly.
• Treats consumers and co-workers with care, dignity and compassion.
• Respects consumers’ and co-workers’ privacy and confidentiality.
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed.
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others.
• Is sensitive to consumers’ needs, expectations and individual differences.
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families.
• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required.
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures.
• Attends appropriate in-service trainings and other workshops.
• Maintains current license and requirements for renewals.

Physical Requirements

• There is frequent standing, sitting, and walking in bursts of 5 to 10 minutes at random.  There are times when this can be extended to pacing with the consumer for underdetermined amounts of time.  Sitting and standing can be extended with the employee having the ability to change positions as permitted by the observance and behavior of the consumer at that time.
• There is occasional forward bending from the hips while kneeling to reach to the side.
• There is an occasional need to be able to assume a full squat/lunge from a standing position.
• There is an occasional need to maintain back extension while being on stomach with one’s own body weight on hips and legs.  This position is maintained for several minutes.
• Occasionally, be able to put one’s own body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of one’s body.
• Occasionally, be able to kneel and reach to same side toward the floor.
• Lift up to 10 pounds from the floor to various levels, including from the floor to overhead occasionally during shift.
• Have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds to assist in activities of daily living, as required. Be able to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist.
• Strong grasp is needed to use keys to open doors throughout the facility and to maintain constant contact with a consumer during a restraint procedure or with other hold techniques.
• Pushing/pulling force up to 25 pounds occasionally during shift.
• There are times that require the employee to be able to ambulate as quickly as possible to assist coworkers with a consumer in a restraint procedure, for example:  jog/run up to 0.1 mile.
• At times therapy may be inside or outside the facility; therefore, some activities will dictate physical requirements for playing or games.

Qualifications

Current LPN in Alabama.