Community Living LPN Lead

SUMMARY:

The Community Living LPN Lead provides clinical guidance and day-to-day oversight to support safe, consistent, and high-quality participant care across PACE Southeast Michigan’s Community Living services. The role monitors care delivery, ensures nursing responsibilities are completed, promotes safe medication administration, and supports accurate documentation. The position also provides direction to team members and reinforces compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and standards of care.

The Community Living LPN Lead works closely with the Community Living Manager, nursing team members, caregivers, and other interdisciplinary team members to address care concerns, support employee accountability, and maintain continuity of care across shifts and units.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS:

Clinical/ Support/Shift Oversight:

• Provides licensed nursing guidance and oversight during assigned shifts to support safe, consistent, and participant-centered care.
• Monitors participant conditions, responds to changes in health status, and ensures appropriate clinical interventions and follow-up within the LPN scope of practice.
• Oversees participant care activities to ensure services align with individualized care plans, established procedures, and nursing standards.
• Conducts routine rounds to monitor participant safety, care quality, and completion of assigned nursing and care responsibilities.

Medication Management & Oversight:

• Oversees medication administration using QuickMAR to support accuracy, safety, and compliance with provider orders and organizational policies.
• Conducts routine medication cart audits in collaboration with the Community Living Manager. Reviews medication storage, organization, expiration dates, and documentation.
• Identifies medication errors, omissions, refusals, and discrepancies. Ensures timely reporting, appropriate intervention, and follow-up.
• Provides guidance to nursing team members on safe medication practices and addresses identified concerns or opportunities for improvement.

Team Leadership & Employee Development:

• Provides day-to-day direction and clinical support to Community Living employees. Clarifies responsibilities and assists with participant care concerns.
• Monitors completion of required employee rounds, care activities, documentation, housekeeping responsibilities, and other assigned duties.
• Addresses performance concerns through timely coaching and guidance. Communicates recurring issues to the Community Living Manager for follow-up.
• Supports new employee onboarding through hands-on guidance, performance observation, and identification of training needs. Communicates progress and concerns to the Community Living Manager.
• Maintains a visible, approachable leadership presence that promotes teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Documentation & Continuity of Care:

• Ensures nursing documentation, participant care records, and required reports are accurate, complete, and timely. Includes documentation of clinical interventions and outstanding care needs.
• Documents and verifies appropriate reporting of changes in participant condition, falls, incidents, behavioral concerns, and other significant events.
• Ensures effective shift-to-shift communication regarding participant needs, unresolved concerns, and required follow-up.

Communication & Clinical Collaboration:

• Collaborates with the Community Living Manager to address clinical concerns, employee performance, and operational priorities.
• Coordinates with RN Case Managers, healthcare providers, caregivers, center leadership, and Interdisciplinary Team members to support participant care.
• Escalates significant or urgent concerns to the appropriate manager, RN Case Manager, provider, 855 provider, or designated team member based on the situation.
• Identifies recurring care concerns, workflow challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Communicates recommendations to leadership to strengthen care delivery.

Professional Standards & Development:

• Demonstrates behaviors aligned with PACE Southeast Michigan's mission, values, and Ten Principles of Personal Leadership.
• Maintains professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability in all interactions while following organizational policies and nursing standards.
• Builds collaborative relationships with employees, participants, leaders, and business partners to support a respectful and participant-centered environment.
• Participates in continuous learning and professional development to maintain clinical knowledge and strengthen leadership skills.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong knowledge of practical nursing standards, medication administration, clinical assessment, and care practices for older adults.
• Understanding of applicable healthcare regulations, infection prevention practices, medication safety requirements, and organizational policies.
• Ability to provide clinical guidance, coach employees, and promote accountability within established nursing responsibilities.
• Strong clinical judgment and problem-solving skills to recognize changes in participant condition, assess concerns, make appropriate decisions, and determine when escalation is necessary.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to provide clear direction, address concerns professionally, and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to balance competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, medication administration systems such as QuickMAR, and other clinical documentation and communication tools.
  

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Maintains safe, consistent, and high-quality participant care in accordance with individualized care plans, nursing standards, and organizational requirements.
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment by recognizing concerns early, responding appropriately, and escalating issues within established guidelines.
• Supports medication safety through accurate administration practices, timely identification of discrepancies, and appropriate follow-up.
• Demonstrates effective leadership through professionalism, approachability, clear direction, and respectful communication.
• Maintains productive working relationships with the Community Living Manager, nursing team members, caregivers, and other interdisciplinary partners.
• Identifies opportunities to improve care quality, team coordination, and operational consistency. Demonstrates follow-through on recommended improvements.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Completion of an accredited practical nursing program required.
• Current, active Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Michigan required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience in long-term care, assisted living, skilled nursing, or a comparable healthcare setting serving older adults required.
• Previous experience in a charge nurse, team lead, supervisory, or comparable clinical leadership role preferred.
• Experience with medication administration, clinical documentation, and care coordination for older adults required.
• Experience using electronic health records and medication administration systems, including QuickMAR or comparable systems, preferred.
• Must successfully complete all required post-offer background checks, drug screening, and health screenings.
• Must meet organizational health requirements for direct participant contact, including tuberculosis (TB) screening, communicable disease clearance, and required immunizations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works primarily in Community Living residences and other assigned PACE Southeast Michigan care settings. Regularly moves throughout participant care areas to provide nursing guidance and support.
• Requires frequent standing and walking, with occasional sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, and other physical movements associated with nursing care and participant assistance.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to fifty (50) pounds and perform occasional strenuous physical activity when assisting participants or handling medical equipment and supplies.
• Ability to safely assist participants with mobility, transfers, repositioning, and activities of daily living using proper body mechanics and approved equipment.
• Requires sufficient visual, hearing, communication, and manual abilities to assess participants, administer medications, operate medical equipment, and complete clinical documentation.
• May involve exposure to bodily fluids, infectious materials, and other healthcare-related hazards. Must follow infection prevention procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• May require travel between Community Living residences, day health centers, participant homes, healthcare facilities, and other community locations.