Licensed Practical Nurse

Overview

Psychiatric Nurses provide professional nursing care to individuals with developmental delays, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities or social, emotional and/or behavioral disorders, in an institution or out-patient setting in accordance with the authorized scope of practice specified in the Nurse Practice Act. Incumbents perform basic tasks or elements of the job not requiring the additional knowledge, skills and abilities to perform at the next level in the series.

The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is recruiting for a Licensed Practical Nurse III or an underfill to be located in Sparks, NV. This position actively participates on a multidisciplinary team providing nursing care and treatment to children and adolescents with behavioral and emotional disturbances in a 24 hour/7 day a week residential treatment setting.

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) North serves children between 6-17 years of age. The program uses nationally recognized models of care, including a Psycho-educational model, the Trauma Informed Care Model and Recovery Model. PRTF North also incorporates Aggression Replacement Training into its philosophy of care.

Incumbents must have a current license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Nevada. This is a full-time position that includes a variable work agreement with overtime after 40 hours per week.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) provide general or psychiatric practical nursing care in accordance with the authorized scope of practice specified in the Nurse Practice Act, under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Mid-Level Practitioner, or physician. Current license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Nevada and one year of experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Contribute to the assessment of patient health status by collecting, reporting and recording objective and subjective data;

observe condition or change in condition; note signs and symptoms of deviation from normal health; participate in developing written care plans.

• Assist in carrying out therapeutic procedures which provide for the emotional and physical comfort of patients; maintain safety, health and well-being of individuals in the therapeutic environment and as allowed in the practice setting; assist in physically restraining patients who are a threat to themselves or others and may be hostile and combative; follow facility procedures regarding techniques and duration of confinement;
  
  notify appropriate personnel of action taken and document as required.
• Administer medications as prescribed by a physician or designee, ensuring route of administration; count controlled medications to ensure security; monitor patient for medication side effects and/or allergic reaction; observe patient to determine if medication is effective for prescribed treatment and document; if necessary, notify appropriate personnel of action taken.
• Document nurse progress notes in medical charts including patient health status, changes in condition and medication administered; review charts for changes in orders and transcribe; prepare written reports, records and summaries; assist with quality improvement activities such as auditing charts and compiling statistics; ensure applicable regulatory standards are met including documentation of the care delivery process.
• Provide emergency medical treatment such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid required to stabilize the patient’s condition and prevent more serious complications pursuant to established policy; complete accident and incident reports as required.
• Prepare and maintain medical treatment rooms, ensuring supplies are available and ready for use; order and stock medical and related supplies as needed.
• Provide prescribed education to patients and their families related to good health habits and answer questions regarding prescribed treatment; provide health related education and training to staff as assigned.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living and encourage them to perform activities without help as appropriate; supervise and/or…