ATLANTICARE

_________________________ROLE DESCRIPTION

 

TITLE:   Residential Nurse, LPN
JOB CODE: #7059	EXEMPT:  NON-EXEMPT: X	DATE: 7/22	REVISED: 01/2024
Licensed practical nurse in the state of New Jersey. Minimum of one year of experience in detoxification required. BLS required. Ability to participate in treatment team meetings as needed and assigned by supervisor. Must attend at least 6 staff meetings per calendar year.

 

POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direction of the Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, the LPN residential nurse is responsible for the effective operation of the Detox Unit. The residential LPN performs the duties required in compliance with state and federal regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Licensed practical nurse in the state of New Jersey. BLS required.
• EXPERIENCE: Minimum of one year of experience in detoxification required.
• Demonstrates knowledge of health-related issues regarding addiction, detoxification, chronic diseases and communicable and infectious diseases.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administers and documents the correct medication when client exhibits signs and symptoms of withdrawal.
• Refers all clients who do not meet criteria for detox to ACMC for medical evaluation.
• Reviews admission protocol, to include medical, surgical and family history, and ensures that client's laboratory and urine drug screening are completed within required time frame.
• Maintains a safe, therapeutic and client-focused environment in the Detox Unit. Treats all clients with dignity and respect.
• Monitors meals and provides proper nutrition for clients in detox process.
• Responsible for shift assessment, ensuring vital signs, medication administration records, withdrawal assessment scores and progress notes for assigned clients are completed and documented correctly in EMR. Ability to supervise and monitor documentation required by medical assistants.
• Maintains confidentiality of all client information in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Responsible for maintaining medications, medication rooms and carts, keeping them clean, neat and orderly at all times.
• Responsible for verbal or written shift report before and after every shift.
• Responsible for proper narcotic counts before, after every shift or if there is any staff changes during a shift.
• Monitors emergency equipment checks for expirations and proper maintenance for equipment. Monitors nursing unit and common areas and addresses any spills, trip hazards or housekeeping needs of facility.
• Able to respond to medical emergencies throughout building on all units, including Detox, Short Term and Long Term Residential. Ability to document and communicate to medical providers any changes in client's status and obtains verbal orders.
• Maintains CEU as required for LPN license in state of New Jersey and to enhance skills as an addiction/detoxification nurse.
• Participates in departmental meetings and treatment teams and facilitates educational in-services for clients and staff as needed for health and wellness of facility. Responsible for facilitating training for client orientation, NARCAN training and state department of health issues as needed.
• Must attend at least 6 staff meetings per calendar year.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

JOB EXPECTATIONS

• Ability to actively engage in conversation with clients in order to clearly understand their needs.
• Ability to use appropriate communication method to fit the situation.
• Ability to perform assessment for signs and symptoms of dependency and withdrawal.
• Ability to express oneself clearly when presenting ideas or concerns with respect to all cultures and ethnic or gender-specific backgrounds.
• Capable of adapting to changing environments, policies or administrative procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive and cooperative working relationship with all employees. Reports to proper chain of command any urgent concerns, violations or client or staff safety concerns.
• Demonstrates knowledge of health-related issues regarding addiction, detoxification, chronic diseases and communicable and infectious diseases.
• Knowledge of universal precautions and ability to educate staff and clients on standard protocols.
• Knowledge of medication administration, potential interactions and proper storage and security of all classes of medications.
• Knowledge of nursing assessment and physical exam and ability to identify acute mental or physical changes.
• Ability to maintain medical or clerical supplies and reports needs to supervisor as needed.
• Ability to participate in treatment team meetings as needed and assigned by supervisor.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES
None

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Demonstrates the technical competencies as established on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position requires repetitive motion, hearing, pushing, reaching, reading, seeing, speaking, standing and walking a majority of the time. Spends time with such equipment as a computer terminal, fax machine, copier and telephone.

Essential functions of this position are listed on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports to department leadership.

The above statement reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.