LPN-Geropsychiatric

Our Behavioral Health unit is an inpatient hospital program providing psychiatric services to individuals age 55 and older who are experiencing behavioral health issues. It consists of 9 beds and provides coordinated, personalized care for each patient. Our program therapy helps individuals care for themselves better and follow their primary care provider's directions, particularly about taking medicines.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for providing safe and reliable patient care, under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The LPN assists in monitoring, observing, and reporting reactions to the patient’s plan of care.

Why UnityPoint Health? 

• Commitment to our Team – We’ve been named a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare 2022 by Becker’s Healthcare for our commitment to our team members.
• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you Come for a fulfilling career and experience a culture guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve.
• Benefits – Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.

Visit us at UnityPoint.org/careers to hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work. https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org/ 

Clinical Excellence/Patient Care

• Assesses the needs of patients and families, providing appropriate teaching and making the necessary referrals to provide continuity of care.
• Develops an individual plan of care using a collaborative approach with the patient/family and health care team.
• Promptly completes documentation to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care.
• Delivers high quality care utilizing the nursing process while demonstrating knowledge and clinical skills of the specialty required on assigned unit in accordance with established policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Utilizes holistic approach (considering biopsychosocial, spiritual, educational, safety, and related criteria) appropriate to the age of the patients and families served in the assigned service area.
• Delegates and provides direction for other healthcare providers and hold them accountable for their involvement in the plan of care.
• Utilizes critical thinking in making independent judgments and maintains responsibility and accountability for the knowledge of conditions of assigned patients.
• Assists in placing patients in seclusion or restraints if needed.
• Organizes and leads individual and group therapies.
• Assists in 15 min safety checks on patients. Assists in shift room checks.
• Assists with patient laundry.

Patient Education

• Assesses and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient’s and their families’ age-specific needs, culture, gender, readiness to learn and level of comprehension, incorporates findings into patient’s programming.
• Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education.
• Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria         

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste, and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff.  Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

Minimum Requirements

Identify items that are minimally required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Preferred or Specialized

Not required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education:

Graduate of accredited licensed practical nursing program.

Experience:

One (1) year of hospital clinical experience or demonstrated clinical efficiency.

License(s)/Certification(s):

·         Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Iowa.

·         Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtain certification within three (3) months from date of hire.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

·         Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English.

·         Multicultural sensitivity.

·         Basic computer skills.

·         Customer/patient focused.

·         Critical thinking skills using independent judgment in making decisions.

Other:

Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.