Psychiatric LPN-West Virginia

Overall Purpose of Job

The Psychiatric LPN will assume responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating direct and indirect clinical care to patients.  She/ he will competently function as a member of the interdisciplinary team to provide patient and community-centered care.  She/he serves as an advocate for the patient and their family and intercedes on their behalf by acting as a liaison for patients and their families with respect to their rights and beliefs. 

Key Responsibilities

• LPN(s) must be licensed by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses and have no record of prior or pending disciplinary action against him or her by the licensure body or agency. West Virginia is a member of the National Council of State Board of Nursing and participates in the multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). 

• LPN(s) assigned to one of the acute care psychiatric facilities must have a minimum of one (1) year experience and working knowledge of the concepts of mental health, health disorders and related physical conditions and related treatment approach. 

Key Responsibilities

• LPN(s) must assist professional nursing & medical staff in providing direct nursing care to patients, including medical treatments, administering medications, giving injections, assisting in care planning and recording, and such other services within the scope of the LPN(s) license. Performs history and physical assessment, behavioural health care support, minor outpatient procedures, patient education, and refers any care beyond the scope of the medical unit to offsite facilities. 

• LPN(s) must take and record temperatures, blood pressure, pulse and respirations; collect specimens for testing; administer medications according to the Physician Order; and perform such other services requested within the scope of the LPN(s) license. 

• LPN(s) must ensure timely documentation into patients’ electronic medical records, per the policies, procedures and common practices of the assigned facility to be discussed in detail during the hospital/facility orientation. 

Key Responsibilities

• LPN(s) will provide for the emotional and physical comfort and safety of the patients/clients. 

• LPN(s) must assist in response to medical and psychiatric emergencies. 

• LPN(s) must communicate with physicians for patient care regimen in order to meet patient care needs. 

• LPN(s) must assist patients with activities of daily living such as grooming and personal hygiene. 

• LPN(s) must testify in court and commitment hearing when found appropriate and deemed necessary. The psychiatric physician must be present and available to testify as necessary and LPN(s) must be available to appear and testify. 

Experience Required

• Minimum of one year of clinical experience in direct patient care as a licensed practical or vocational nurse 

• Experience in detention or correctional healthcare, residential healthcare, a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided direct care. 

• Experience with pediatric and adult patients.  

Education Required

• LPN(s) must be licensed by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses and have no record of prior or pending disciplinary action against him or her by the licensure body or agency. West Virginia is a member of the National Council of State Board of Nursing and participates in the multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). 

• Program must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

• Licensure must be maintained current, and any required education, trainings, continued education to maintain licensure must be completed within the required timeline for completion by the licensing/ certifying authority. 

Education Required

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification must be from one of the following approved organizations: 

a. American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for health care providers 

b. American Red Cross CPR/BLS for the professional rescuer 

c. American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) CPR and AED for healthcare providers and professional responders 

i. Course components must include Adult, Pediatric, and Infant CPR, Foreign Body Airway Obstruction, and Automatic Defibrillator (AED) proficiency 

ii. Applicant/ Employee must be certified upon hire and may also be a certified instructor 

iii. BLS/CPR must be renewed prior to expiration date, and always kept in an active status 

Physical Requirements

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Work involves sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time.
• May require bending, stooping and lifting up to 15 lbs.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the types of responsibilities the incumbent is required to perform.
The incumbent may be required to perform job related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description. This job description is subject to regular review.