Licensed Practical Nurses - All Programs

Brien Center for Mental Health; Pittsfield, North Adams (MA, MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Brien Center is hiring Licensed Practical Nurses to provide compassionate psychiatric and general nursing care across Emergency Services, CBHC, and ACCS. Shifts are mainly Monday through Friday daytime, with part-time overnight opportunities starting at $39.58 per hour.

Responsibilities include nursing assessments, vital signs, medication administration and reconciliation, patient education, and coordinating medical and psychiatric care.

Qualifications

• License in Practical Nursing (LPN) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Basic Life Saving (BLS) CPR certification or ability to obtain within the first 5 months of employment.
• Minimum one year of qualifying experience working in a community mental health program.
• Basic knowledge of care coordination and ability to advocate for needed treatment.
• Basic knowledge and experience in crisis intervention.
• Basic knowledge and skill in the use of psychotropic medications.
• Valid Driver’s License and use of personally insured vehicle for agency business.

Responsibilities

• Perform nursing assessments and monitor vital signs.
• Administer medications and reconcile medications; process physician orders.
• Educate patients regarding medication regimens, symptoms, and health.
• Coordinate medical and psychiatric care; facilitate referrals.
• Contribute to comprehensive assessments and crisis prevention planning; provide brief crisis counseling and psychoeducation; participate in discharge planning and ongoing care coordination.
• Supervise residents and assist with activities of daily living as part of direct care staffing ratio.
• Provide medication-related training and education to staff and residents.
• Collaborate with psychiatric and medical teams to address individual health care needs.

Skills

Care coordination

Crisis intervention

Medication administration

Psychoeducation

Communication with diverse populations

Driving/vehicle use

Education

LPN license (Massachusetts)

BLS CPR certification

Job description

Most positions are weekdays, 1st shift. No nights, weekends or holidays! Opportunities are available for part-time overnight, starting at $39.58/hour!

These LPN positions provide psychiatric and general nursing care across Emergency Services, Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC), and Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS). These roles support the overall health, safety, and wellness of individuals receiving services through nursing assessments, medication administration and monitoring, health education, and coordination of medical and psychiatric care.

Responsibilities include completing nursing assessments, monitoring vital signs and general health, administering medications, reconciling medications, processing physician orders, and providing education regarding medication regimens, symptom management, and overall health and wellness. Nurses also coordinate medical care, facilitate referrals, contribute to comprehensive assessments and individualized crisis prevention planning, provide brief crisis counseling and psychoeducation, and participate in discharge planning and ongoing care coordination.

Depending on the program, nursing responsibilities may also include supervising residents and assisting with activities of daily living as part of the direct care staffing ratio, providing medication-related training and education to staff and residents, and working collaboratively with psychiatric and medical teams to address individual health care needs. Across all programs, these positions play an integral role in ensuring continuity of care, promoting wellness, supporting crisis stabilization, and maintaining the health and safety of the individuals served.

Qualifications, Experience, and Education

• License in Practical Nursing (LPN) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Healthcare Provider Basic Life Saving (BLS) level of CPR or ability to obtain within the first 5 months of employment.
• Minimum one year of qualifying experience working in a community mental health program.
• Basic knowledge of care coordination:
  • Basic ability to assess patient’s and advocate for needed treatment when applicable.
  • Collaborate with local physicians and their staff.
  • Implement medical recommendations.
• Basic knowledge of normal personality growth and development.
• Basic knowledge and experience in crisis intervention.
• Basic knowledge and skill in the use of psychotropic medications.
• Ability and propensity to work with a diverse population with a range of psychiatric disabilities.
• Ability to interact with patients in a consistent empowering manner.
• Valid Driver’s License and use of personally insured vehicle for agency business.