Job Description

We are seeking a part-time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to join our Medical Respite residential program within our Division of Recovery & Housing. This position coordinates those functions and activities that provide for, maintain, and promote the health of persons in need of shelter and stability. This position works within the Homeless Medical Respite Services (HMRS) program, establishing open communication, support, and accountability among co-workers.

Person Services:  

• Conducts screening and evaluations to determine eligibility and suitability for the Homeless Medical Respite Program.
• Provides health and medical information necessary for completion and revisions of the Comprehensive Assessment.
• Provides input regarding health and medical needs for the development and monitoring of Individual Action Plans (IAPs).
• Informs persons served regarding medication function, effects and side effects.
• Coordinates with community providers, including inpatient medical providers, visiting nurses, primary and specialty care offices, and others as need to ensure appropriate medical care both in the HMRS program and in the community. 
• Provides informal counseling in areas of health and psycho-physiological well-being.
• Monitors side effects of medications.
• Ensures yearly physical assessments are performed to maintain accurate baseline data
• Assesses persons served with specific physical complaints.
• Makes appropriate medical interventions, e.g. coordinates appointments and communication with physicians.
• Interacts with persons served in order to assess needs, provide information, discuss problems, and encourage growth and development.
• Provides informal counseling in areas of health and psycho-physiological well-being.
• Monitors participant progress in areas of health and psycho-physiological well-being.
• Advocates with medical providers to ensure that persons served receive highest quality health care including second opinions when warranted.
• Coordinates access and referrals to VNAs when ordered by prescriber and/or physician.

Program Staff Development Services:

• Ensures program and staff are in compliance with medication self-administration practices and performs medication audits regularly.
• Trains staff as needed to obtain MAP certification.
• Provides training to persons served and staff regarding medication function, effects, side effects, nutrition, specific disease processes which apply to program persons served, and vital sign monitoring.
• Provides agency-wide trainings on medically related topics such as vital signs.
• Adheres to MHA and program policy and procedure manual.
• Develops and monitors systems related to medical care and medications.
• Provides clinical support to Directors and Supervisory Staff. 

Collateral/Environmental Services:

• Works within processes and procedures of referral source.
• Coordinates exchange of information among person served, staff, and external. medical/nursing and other service-providing agencies and providers.
• Consults with staff regarding Person served special physical care needs.
• Notifies supervisory staff immediately in the event of a person served crisis, suspected illegal activity, or any behavior constituting an incident in the program.
• Liaisons with other service-providing agencies.

Administrative Responsibilities/Record Keeping:

• Maintains medical and medication records in accordance with standard format and timetables to include physical assessment and progress reports and other specialized documentation which is required.
• May attend Individual Action Plan meetings if needed.
• Conducts medical/clinical projects as identified by the Director.

Professional Growth and Development:

• Attends Agency-required trainings and seeks and uses external training opportunities. 
• Participates in relevant Agency and/or community task forces.
• Engages in self-evaluation to develop professional goals.
• Actively participates in individual supervision.

Requirements:

• Must have a valid Licensed Practical Nursing license in the state of Massachusetts.
• Must have experience monitoring/developing IAPs (Individual Action Plans).
• Experience in medical respite preferred.
• Must have a valid driver's license and a reliable source of transportation to bring to/from work.

Benefits:

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision).
• Retirement Plan (403B, IRA).
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D).
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays).
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity).
• Long Term Disability.

Conclusion: 

This job description provides an overview of the essential responsibilities and qualifications for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks or working conditions associated with the role.

What We Do MHA (Mental Health Association) helps people live their best life. We provide access to therapies for emotional health and wellness; services for substance use recovery, developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury; services for housing and residential programming, and more. With respect, integrity and compassion, MHA provides each individual served through person-driven programming to foster independence, community engagement, wellness and recovery. Why It Matters The youth, adults, seniors and families we serve want the same things in life as anyone: to have friends, work, go to school, have meaningful relationships, express themselves (and be heard), and be accepted in their community for who they are. With our help and resources from a caring community, people can live their potential, in their community, every day. How We Think Starting in the 1960s, MHA’s groundbreaking efforts and advocacy helped to transition people away from institutional living to a life in our community. This became a model for the deinstitutionalization movement. Today, our leadership continues to advance awareness of mental health conditions and needs at local, regional and national levels. We drive compassionate care for those challenged by mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use, homelessness, acquired brain injury and more.

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