JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, provides direct, technical nursing care functions inaccordance with individual nursing care plans and/or as directed by attending physician/clinician.

Takes vital signs, administers medications, records required information in patients'/consumers'charts, observes reactions and prepares patients/consumers for examinations as necessary. May

function as a lead worker for other staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicates health/nursing needs and/or recommendations to RN supervisor.
• Coordinates admissions, discharges, and follow-up as needed.
• Assists in medical/health appointments as needed.
• Completes patient/consumer preliminary nursing assessments based on interviews with patient/consumer, family, significant others, and community agencies providing services.
• Ensures the provision of nursing/health services under the direction of the RN and as ordered by the physician, provides direct care as outlined in the Service Plan/Nursing Care Plan.
• Takes and records vital signs, weights, wound measurements, etc. Identifies trends outside of parameters, or in need of attention and communicates to RN.
• Reports pertinent information and changes in individual health status to attending physician/health professionals and to the Team as needed in a timely manner
• Ensures the provision of needed adaptive equipment
• Medication Administration: Administers medications, verifying the correct medications are administered (per the six rights of medication administration), and that clients response tomedications is noted and documented along with any noted side effects.
  • Works closely with home/facility/pharmacy staff in consulting on medications, side effects, and medication reviews
  • Orders, reviews, monitors, and discontinues medications as ordered by physician.
  • Dispose of unused medication per policy
  • Assures that monthly Medication Administration Records (MARs) are accurately transcribed in each individuals record
  • Checks the medication cabinet on a weekly basis to ensure medications are administered as ordered,
  • Appropriately documented on the MAR, and that missed medications are documented, and required follow-up occurs
  • Returns completed med cards at the end of each month, along with expired and unused medications as applicable
• Checks program/service areas on a frequent but not less than a monthly basis to ensure the necessary medical/nursing/medication supplies are available and in ample supply
• Reports client illness, potential communicable diseases or infections and works closely with
• RN, direct care staff, other programmatic and health care professionals, and family in maintaininga safe environment for clients and staff. Implements isolation precautions as needed
• Ensures health status, care and services are documented accurately and timely per company and state requirements
• Provides supervision and education for non-licensed staff in the provision of care and services and reports any changesComplete a quarterly nursing evaluation/review of body systems on assigned individuals per program requirements. Refer to physician any assessment findings needing further review.
• Ensures incidents are recorded, the individual is safe, receives required medical care, communicates to RN, operations leadership timely.
• Participates in clinics completed at the operation with PCP, psych, etc. as assigned.
• Participates in on-call duties to ensure weekend and after-hours access to clinicians by staff andindividuals served (participates in on-call rotation as assigned)
• Participates in quarterly quality improvement activities, weekly team/staff meetings andInterdisciplinary Team meetings (IDT/PDP). Transcribes physician phone orders and other medicallyrelated reports.
• Work hours may vary - weekends and evening shifts/site visits may be required

Minimum Qual fications:

• A Current Georgia license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Preferred Training and Experience:

• Experience in Mental Health preferred

SALARY RANGE:

• $45,000