Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (Developmental Disabilities)

Overview

As a Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.), you will participate in the comprehensive assessment of physical health of the people Vinfen serves. Your work will be in a clinically intensive program that is tailored to meet the needs of a unique specialized population who have brain injuries, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or psychiatric conditions, and complex health needs. In your role you will work together with the people we serve, their families, friends, employers, and other support staff to transform their lives.

L.P.N. duties include providing nursing care, administering medication under the Medication Administration Plan (MAP) guidelines, and assisting individuals to become more a part of their communities. You will employ rehabilitation values, principles and techniques, including skills training, to help individuals served overcome barriers and to live more independently.

Additionally, the L.P.N. will communicate any change in status to appropriate individuals, perform individual assessments with any change of status, and provide skilled nursing interventions as indicated.

Keywords: LPN, L.P.N., Licensed Practical Nurse, Medical, community based, home care, healthcare, VinfenLPN

Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

Nursing Care•Develops and implements person centered treatment care plans.•Provides assistance with activities of daily living according to each individual’s care plan; including, but not limited to, showering, dressing, shaving, mouth care, foot care, diabetes care, wound care, GT/JT care, and nutritional support. Monitors and observes clients for any change in status.•Performs individualized assessments with any change of status and provides skilled nursing interventions, as indicated.•Administers medication as ordered by primary care provider.•Administers treatments as ordered by primary care provider.•Provides transportation and accompanies individual served to medical, dental, or any appointment, as needed.•Ensures that nutritional needs of the individuals served are met.•Ensures that all pharmacological, medical, nutritional supplies, and medical equipment are ordered in a timely and safe manner.•Utilizes behavioral strategies when indicated and follows all prescribed clinical plans indicated.

Supervision•Supervises C.N.A.s during designated shift.•Ensures that care provided is completed in a timely and accurate manner.•Ensures that care provided meets all ISP goals and address the whole person, not just the person’s medical needs.•Ensures that program meets all quality control monitoring.•Provides relevant nursing education and training to C.N.A.s, as needed.

Communication•Communicates and meets with Program Nurse Administrator, as needed.•Maintains communication with primary care provider, family members and/or guardian and all other, significant relationships.•Communicates effectively with other Vinfen employees, outside agencies, community agencies, and neighbors.•Utilizes emergency and on-call system, when appropriate•Communicates any change in status of individual served to appropriate individuals, including Program Director, primary care provider, family and/or guardian, and other outside agencies.

Documentation•Documents nursing care and treatments as ordered by primary care provider according to Vinfen policy and procedure.•Documents medication administration according to Vinfen policy and procedure.•Ensures that all documentation is complete and accurate, including, but not limited to, shift notes, daily communication, treatment plans, and medical records.•Documents incident reports, including medication errors in a timely and effective manner.•Ensures that all documentation meet all regulatory standards and Vinfen policy and procedure.

Environment•Ensures that environment is safe, clean, comfortable, and welcoming to individuals and families and/or guardians and other significant individuals and visitors.•Ensures that environment meets all regulatory requirements.•Promotes an environment that is conducive and welcoming to client’s active participation in residence.•Ensures that client’s preferences and choices are respected.•Ensures that environment meets Vinfen policy and procedures and other credentialing agencies.•Ensures that medication and treatment supplies are stored safely.•Maintains clients’ medical equipment and supplies that include, but are not limited to, wheelchairs, walkers, Hoyer lifts, hospital beds.

Community Integration•Ensures that individuals served are involved in community outings and events such as dances and local community events.•Ensures that individual preferences are respected.

Advocacy/Relationships•Advocates effectively for people served.•Acts as liaison and collaborates effectively with other Vinfen departments (Behavioral Health, Psychiatry), outside agencies, and community providers to develop effective and working relationships.•Attends and participates actively in developing treatment plans, ISP, and other planning meetings, as warranted.•Develops and maintains effective relationships with individuals served, families and/or guardians and neighbors, and other significant relationships of individuals served.

Professional Development•Acts as positive role model for colleagues and staff.•Actively participates in trainings offered by Vinfen.

•Attends conferences and educational opportunities, as indicated.

Other•Complies with all accreditation and licensing requirements.•Ensures that residence meets all fire and safety requirements.•Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

About Vinfen

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

About Us:

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 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

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

• A bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field is preferred, but experience may substitute for education. High school diploma or GED required.
• Current L.P.N. license.
• 1-2 years supervised practical experience, including internships, in a clinical or rehabilitation setting preferred.
• Experience working with people with psychiatric conditions and/or co-occurring disorders strongly preferred.
• Strong time management and writing skills.
• All applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a current, valid, US drivers' license for at least 6 months.
• All applicants must become CPR, First Aid certified within 2 weeks of employment and MAP certified within 150 days of employment.

All candidates must be able to successfully pass a CORI, reference, multi-state background and driving record check.

Knowledge and Skills:

•Strong commitment to the rights and abilities of individuals with developmental disabilities who have complex health issues•Knowledge of LPN practice standards and intervention techniques•Knowledge of developmental disabilities•Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, age, gender, and disability issues•Skills and competency to develop supportive, trusting relationships with clients served•Knowledge of teaching and learning modalities. Ability to supervise and mentor C.N.A.s•Knowledge of evidence based practices and commitment to adherence to such as appropriate•Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles and supervisory techniques•Knowledge of organizational, strategic, participatory, collaborative skills•Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices•Ability to make independent judgments and decisions•Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity•Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment•Knowledge of documentation standards requirements•Knowledge of proper body mechanics•Knowledge of available community health and mental health services

Typical Requirements:

One to two years supervised practical experience, including internships, in a clinical or rehabilitation setting helpful, but not required. Experience working with people with developmental and/or psychiatric disabilities and medical illnesses and other co-occurring disorders preferred. Preference given to bi- lingual/bi-cultural applicants and applicants with lived experience.,

Preferred /Required Education:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Associate’s degree preferred.

Driving Requirements:

Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. 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.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 clients 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 clients, 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. For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications:

CPR required within two weeks of hire Safety Care required within 90 days of hire

Required Credentials/Licenses:

LPN in state of service required.

Pay Range

USD $38.44 - USD $38.44 /Hr.