Licensed Practical Nurse

City of Portsmouth; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Portsmouth is seeking a licensed practical nurse to provide medical services in the substance abuse clinic, including methadone dispensing, injections, vital signs, and patient education.

You will document services, manage medication storage, coordinate with pharmacies, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Requires LPN license in Virginia and background check; methadone dispensing experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
• 1-2 years of nursing experience with substance abuse clients.
• Methadone dispensing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Dispense methadone and document services daily.
• Coordinate medication orders with aftercare pharmacy.
• Administer injections; monitor vital signs and weight.
• Screen for adverse drug effects and liaison with physicians.
• Maintain secure storage and accurate medication records.

Skills

LPN

Nursing

Pharmacology

Medication Administration

Documentation

Communication

Education

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, provides medical services and medication related activities in the substance abuse clinic. Responsible for the dispensing of methadone and daily documentation of services rendered to include ordering supplies, documenting records, logging records in and out, and maintaining storage for psychotropic medications ordered by the physician in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and professional standards. Administers injections, checks vital signs and weight, screens for medication side effects, interacts and other agencies, and provides consumer with educational activities and information. Reports to the Program Administrator (Substance Abuse and Presentation).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Coordinates with aftercare pharmacy to order medications, enters medication information into the computer and receives, stores, and delivers and or returns psychotropic medications in a timely manner. Communicates with pharmacies, consumers, providers, and others regarding requests for medication information and refills; receives and handles instructions from physician, and ensures documents and documentation related to medical services are filed in consumer record.

Performs psychotropic medication injections as ordered by physician; and responds to physician request for medication samples to include Abnormal, Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) testing for tardive dyskinesia; maintains records of laboratory tests ordered and results received and notifies physician of abnormal results.

Screens consumers to qualify for pharmacy assistance programs, performs and records consumers’ vital signs and weight under order of physician; obtains signed release of information and requests records from outside healthcare providers for consumer medical information.

Administers injections, checks vital signs and weight, and screens for medication side effects; interacts with pharmacies and other agencies; provides consumer with educational activities and information; observes and assesses client behaviors and conditions; and provides needed medical services or refers to the appropriate health care agency.

Document records, logs records in and out; maintains storage for psychotropic medications ordered by the physician in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and professional standards; monitors and orders various medical supplies including prescription pads, needles and syringes; maintains first aid supplies; and maintains accounting system for supplies as required.

Maintains medication storage area ensuring security, cleanliness, organization, and stock; ensures that all job activities comply with licensure requirements as well as those of other applicable regulatory bodies, documentation and monitoring guidelines; keeps abreast of changes in the medication ordering system requirements; communicates to consumers as indicated, and gathers, maintains and updates consumer educational supplies.

Coordinate and facilitate Methadone Education Classes.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

KnowledgeofJob:Has general knowledge of the theory, principles and methodologies of nursing and the needs and

services provided to substance abuse clients and the principles of supervision. Is able to supervise staff and provide nursing care to substance abuse clients. Is able to understand and interpret oral and written instructions. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality ofWork:Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high-quality communication and interacts with all departments, co-workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work:Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under"EssentialJobFunctions".

Dependability:Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

InitiativeandEnthusiasm:Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Anticipates workload to be completed and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility; identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with policies and procedures with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice; and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation:Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet goals and objectives. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Relationships with Others:Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for program and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all program employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments; projects and maintains a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, Program Administrator, professionals and the general public.

CoordinationofWork:Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings and planning sessions. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.

SafetyandHousekeeping:Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various

regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Requires certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); 1 - 2 years of progressively responsible experience providing nursing services to substance abuse clients or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Methadone dispensing experience is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Virginia or license eligible.

Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state and federal criminal history check, and a sex offender registry check.

A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Individuals in the position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.

In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIREDTO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements:Requires the ability to lift and pull up to 20 pounds of force occasionally.Requiresprolongedvisualconcentration,stooping,kneeling,climbingandbalancing.

Data Conception:Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural orcompositionalcharacteristics(whethersimilartoordivergentfromobviousstandards)ofdata,peopleorthings.

Interpersonal Communications:Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchangeinformation. Includesgiving instructions, maintaining standards and coordinating activities. Must be able to receiveinformationandassignmentsformsupervisor.

Language Ability:Requires the ability to read program and policy manuals, medical records, lab reports, forms,medicalbooks,patientcharts,medicationandpharmaceuticallabelsandadministrativedocuments.Mustbeabletopreparepatientcharts,programreports,correspondenceandavarietyofadministrativedocumentationusingprescribedformatsandconformingtoallrulesofpunctuation,grammar,dictionandstyle.Requirestheabilitytospeaktopeoplewithpoise,voicecontrolandconfidence.

Intelligence:Requirestheabilitytoapplyprinciplesoflogicalorscientificthinkingtodefineproblems,collectdata,establishfactsanddrawvalidconclusions;interpretsanextensivevarietyoftechnicalinstructionsinmathematicalordiagrammaticform;dealswithseveralabstractandconcretevariables.

VerbalAptitude:Requirestheabilitytorecordanddeliverinformation,explainprocedures,followoralandwritteninstructions.Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using Standard English and administrative,pharmaceuticalandnursingterminology.

Numerical Aptitude:Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiplyanddivide,andcomputediscount,interest,profitandloss,ratioandproportionandcalculatedecimalsandpercentages.

Form/SpatialAptitude:Requirestheabilitytoinspectitemsforproperlength,widthandshape.

Motor Coordination:Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using a variety ofnursingsuppliesandequipment.

Manual Dexterity:Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as nursing supplies and equipment.Musthaveminimallevelsofeye/hand/footcoordination.

ColorDiscrimination:Requirestheabilitytodifferentiatebetweencolorsandshadesofcolor.

Interpersonal Temperament:Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Mustbeadaptabletoperformingundervaryinglevelsofstresswhenconfrontedwithpersonsactingunderstress(emergencysituations).

PhysicalCommunication:Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing -perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

Sensory Requirements:Requires to the ability to identify colors of medications assessing skin color of consumer todetect possible illness or reaction to medication; detect odor of deteriorated medication; detect body odor related toillness;andhearbloodpressure.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.