LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse

Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse

Reports To: Registered Nurse

Employment Status: Part-time; Non-exempt

Job Overview

The Fred and Clara Eckert Foundation for Children is a private operating foundation whose primary charitable purpose is operating Eckert Youth Homes in Williston, North Dakota.  Eckert Youth Homes provides quality treatment services which encourage the spiritual, educational, behavioral, emotional, and physical development of children, youth, and their families.  Eckert's core values are Faith, Integrity, Excellence, and Caring.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for providing nursing care to adolescents, ages 12-17, with substance use and/or mental health diagnoses in a 24-hour residential adolescent addiction program. This includes intake assessments, administering medications, and ongoing medical care, under the direction of the RN and medical provider.  Responsible for direct care of clients, including crisis intervention, participating in developing treatment plans with clients, and providing emergency assessment for possible hospitalizations.  

Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing care to residents of Eckert, providing individual and group education to service recipients, and providing necessary trainings to the staff at Eckert. 

Responsibilities and Duties

Provides medical screening for admissions to the program, under the direction of RN.

• Provides professional nursing care, including administering of medications according to provider’s orders in conformance with recognized nursing techniques and procedure, established standards, and administrative policies of the department. 
• Recognizes and interprets symptoms of clients’ conditions, reports to appropriate personnel, and assists with remedial measures for adverse developments. 
• Monitors the collection of urine specimens according to standard precautions.
• Maintains clinical charts including documentation of observations, medication, and treatments. Reports on the condition of clients and observes and corrects, if possible, environmental factors dealing with comfort and safety. 
• Participates in staff meetings and provides input regarding the client’s physical condition.
• Is responsible for arranging clinic appointments and ER visits.
• Responds to inquiries and gives appropriate information and referrals if needed.
• Involved in quality improvement activities on an ongoing basis.
• Takes a personal stake in the success of the program.
• Focuses on client empowerment in providing treatment, seeking to assist client to build on strengths in addressing treatment needs.
• Facilitates with clients and collaborates with the treatment team to develop, review, and update treatment goals and referrals both internally and externally. 
• Participates in related clinical conferences and staffing on clients.
• Provides education and direction to clients, family members, and/or stakeholders.
• May assist in the orientation and training of new CNAs/CMAs.
• Participates in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and seminars to facilitate professional growth and maintain licensure if required. 
• Must meet minimum productivity expectations.
• Maintains an awareness of and professional involvement/collaboration with community resources.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Shares on-call duties with RN.
• Transport youth to doctor appointments if necessary.

Supervisory Responsibility
The LPN can delegate to and monitor how CNAs and CMAs perform tasks and would report to RN if needed.

Work Environment
This job is performed in an office setting located in a residential facility.  This position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets. 

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This position would be as a part-time employee who is able to delegate and monitor CNA/CMA staff, perform well-child checks for new admits, lead an educational class for 60 to 90 minutes per week, prepare for the classes and train staff. 

Travel
This position requires occasional travel.

Qualifications

• One year’s experience as an LPN preferred; one year’s experience in addiction/behavioral health setting preferred.
• North Dakota Licensure as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). 
• Prior experience working with children, adolescents, and/or adults in addiction counseling services preferred.
• Strong clinical skills required.  Psychiatric, medical surgical, and critical care background preferred, but not necessary.  
• Individuals must be flexible and innovative in carrying out assigned responsibilities.  
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Training and understanding of HIPAA Compliance for Health Care Professionals.
• Training and understanding in trauma-informed care.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to manage crisis situations as well as conduct effective day-to-day interactions within program and service settings.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a positive and productive team environment.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 
• Ability to pass an employee physical, criminal background check, and a child abuse and neglect background check.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

Other Duties
Duties may be assigned by the registered nurse as needed.

Disclaimer. This job description is not a contract. It does not guarantee any person continued employment or any benefits. All employees are employed at-will. That means that either the employee or the employer has the freedom at their will to end the employment whenever they choose for any lawful reason. The Employer has the right in its sole discretion to depart from or change from the responsibilities, duties, and requirements contained in this description without notice.