Behavioral Health Licensed Practical Nurse

Mountain Laurel Medical Center; Westernport (MD); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Mountain Laurel Medical Center is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse to provide direct patient care and nursing support across ambulatory primary care and behavioral health services. The role includes assisting with psychiatric medication management, telepsychiatry visits, and referrals to promote timely access to care.

You will help with patient flow, care coordination, and administrative tasks while maintaining patient confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA.

Qualifications

• Current and valid Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license for the assigned location.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or ability to obtain within three months of hire.
• Valid government-issued photo identification.
• Ability to travel among MLMC locations and throughout the service area as required.
• Demonstrated ability to perform clinical duties within approved scope of practice.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care and nursing support at assigned MLMC locations, including obtaining histories, taking vital signs, and preparing patients for behavioral health and psychiatry services.
• Reviews current medications, allergies, and prior visit summaries for upcoming visits.
• Assists psychiatric providers with administration of injectable medications, coordinates delivery and documents injections per DEA requirements.
• Provides clinical and administrative support to behavioral health staff, including call handling, scheduling, and patient transportation coordination.
• Serves as a care manager for the Behavioral Health Collaborative Care Model as directed by the Medical Director.
• Participates in daily pre-visit planning and ensures protocols are addressed promptly.
• Maintains accurate electronic health records and protects patient confidentiality.
• Assists with insurance verification and prior authorizations as needed.
• Assists with psychotropic medication refills per MLMC standing orders.
• Coordinates with Care Coordinators and Community Health Workers to connect patients with services.

Skills

Patient care

Care coordination

Communication

Teamwork

HIPAA compliance

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

Description

Position Summary:

Provides direct patient care and nursing support for ambulatory primary care and behavioral health services. Supports Behavioral Health Provider (BHP), psychiatric medication management, and telepsychiatry visits and coordinates behavioral health referrals to promote timely access to care. Assists with patient flow, care coordination, and clinical and insurance-related processes in support of behavioral health services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties represent the essential functions of the position.

• Provides direct patient care and nursing support at any assigned MLMC location, including obtaining patient histories, taking vital signs, reviewing clinical information, and preparing patients for behavioral health and psychiatric services.
• Reviews current medications, allergies, previous visit summaries, and applicable specialist reports in preparation for patient visits.
• Assists psychiatric providers with administration of injectable controlled and non-controlled medications, including long-acting injectable antipsychotics and buprenorphine preparations. Coordinates delivery of buprenorphine preparations, documents injections in accordance with DEA requirements, conducts follow-up calls as needed, and communicates relevant information to the prescribing provider.
• Provides clinical and administrative support to behavioral health staff, including answering phones, taking messages, assisting with patient forms, conducting follow-up and no-show calls, scheduling and rescheduling behavioral health and psychiatry appointments, arranging patient transportation, and communicating clinical information as directed by the provider.
• Serves as a care manager for the Behavioral Health Department’s Collaborative Care Model services as directed by the Medical Director of Behavioral Health.
• Participates in daily pre-visit planning and ensures assigned protocols and tasks are addressed in a timely manner.
• Maintains accurate electronic health records, including documentation of patient communications, follow-up activities, and outcomes, while maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Assists patients and providers with visit preparation, including insurance verification and prior authorizations as needed.
• Assists with psychotropic medication refills in accordance with MLMC standing order protocols.
• Coordinates with Care Coordinators, Community Health Workers, and other resources to connect patients with available services and assists with scheduling ancillary and referred services.
• Participates in team meetings, department meetings, in-services, practice management activities, and development of workflow protocols.
• Provides health education and information to patients as directed by the provider.
• Supports efficient patient flow by escorting patients to examination rooms, ancillary services, and other appropriate areas.
• Maintains therapy and examination rooms in a clean, orderly, and appropriately prepared condition.
• Maintains working knowledge of insurance coverage requirements related to patient care, including coverage limitations, charges, and copays, and applies this knowledge when coordinating appropriate services.
• Assists with medical emergencies as needed and within applicable scope of practice.
• Complies with established clinical policies, procedures, and standards of care to support continuity of care and the healthcare needs of MLMC patients.
• Provides professional, compassionate, patient-centered service and communicates respectfully with patients, employees, and members of the care team.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Upholds the Code of Ethics and mission of Mountain Laurel Medical Center in a manner consistent with the core values of patient-focused, respect, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and integrity.

Requirements

Qualifications

Qualifications include the knowledge, skills, education, experience, and credentials necessary to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily.

Required:

• Current and valid Licensed Practical Nurse license applicable to assigned practice location.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or ability to obtain within three months of hire.
• Valid government-issued photo identification.
• Ability to travel among MLMC locations and throughout the service area as required.
• Demonstrated ability to perform clinical duties within approved scope of practice.

Preferred

• Ambulatory primary care or behavioral health experience.
• Experience with electronic health records, care coordination, or psychiatric medication management.
• Experience in an FQHC, community health center, or setting serving underserved populations.

Standard Qualifications

• Basic computer skills and ability to learn required technology.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Professional, dependable, and adaptable.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and applicable regulations.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.