Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Dakota County

Title: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Dakota County IRTS

Reports To: Program Manager; supports the program Registered Nurse

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Purpose

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides nursing services within the scope of LPN practice, under the direction and supervision of the program Registered Nurse (RN), for individuals served in Guild’s Dakota County Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) program. The LPN supports the safe administration and management of medications, contributes to admission, reinforces health and medication education, and coordinates with the treatment team and external providers so that each recipient’s physical and mental health needs are met as they prepare to return to community living. This will be four 3pm – 11pm shifts and 1 weekend day 8am- 4pm shift.

Key Responsibilities

General Nursing Services

• Administer and document medications, including oral, topical, and injectable medications (including long-acting injectable psychotropics) as ordered by the prescriber, following the “rights” of medication administration, Guild policy, and Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245I medication management requirements.
• Transcribe medication orders into the EMAR upon admission and as orders change, before the end of the shift; flag new or changed orders for RN verification and highlight changes to the team.
• Monitor recipients for medication effectiveness, side effects, adverse reactions, and changes in physical or mental health status; promptly report concerns to the RN and prescriber.
• Reinforce health and medication education provided by the RN with clients, individually and in groups, using approved teaching plans and materials.
• Support recipients in learning to independently and safely manage their own medications in preparation for living in the community, consistent with each recipient’s individual treatment plan (ITP).
• Support the RN in training and coaching unlicensed staff on medication monitoring, observed self-administration, and EMAR documentation; reinforce best practices in day-to-day work and at team meetings.
• Communicate with pharmacies, prescribers, and other external providers regarding medication orders, refills, prior authorizations, and recipient symptoms and needs, using communication transfer forms as required.
• Manage medication storage, inventory, ordering, and disposal, including controlled-substance counts, in accordance with Guild policy and applicable regulations.
• Perform routine nursing procedures within LPN scope, including vital signs, glucose monitoring, specimen collection, basic wound care.
• Document all nursing services accurately and on time in the electronic health record and EMAR, meeting Guild, licensing, and payer documentation standards.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, sharing observations about recipients’ health status and their ability to manage self-care and follow medical recommendations.
• Stay current on relevant health care issues, psychotropic medications, and best practices in mental health and substance use nursing.

Crisis Assessment and Intervention

• Observe and identify early signs of distress, medical instability, intoxication, or withdrawal, and talk with staff about adjusting interventions to prevent escalation.
• Work with clients and the team to identify stressors and early warning signs that may lead to a crisis, to help prevent and reduce future crises.
• Respond to medical and behavioral health emergencies by providing first aid, CPR, and nursing interventions within LPN scope, including activating emergency medical services or arranging transfer to a higher level of care when needed.
• Promptly notify the RN, Program Manager, and prescriber of any crisis or significant change in condition, and complete required documentation.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of serious mental illness and substance use disorder including signs of intoxication and withdrawal.
• Working knowledge of a wide range of medications, particularly psychotropics, including common side effects, interactions, and monitoring needs.
• Clear understanding of the LPN scope of practice under the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act, and the ability to recognize when to consult or refer to the RN or prescriber.
• Ability to use medical equipment such as blood pressure cuffs, scales, stethoscopes, glucometers, pulse oximeters, thermometers, needles, and syringes.
• Ability to observe, recognize, and accurately report changes in a recipient’s physical and mental health status.
• Ability to provide education on health and medication topics to clients and staff.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, evidence-based, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of organization, personnel, and client data, including compliance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Ability to meet deadlines, set priorities, use sound judgement, and maintain healthy boundaries in a fast-paced residential setting.
• Proficiency with EMAR/electronic health record systems and a variety of web-based software and databases, including Microsoft Office Suite.

Working Conditions

• This position is based at Guild’s Dakota County IRTS program in West St. Paul and will have interactions with clients, families, and the public.
• Some activities may be required in the community, including accompanying recipients to appointments.
• Travel may be required to other program sites.
• Schedule may include evening, weekend, and holiday shifts, and participation in the on-call rotation as assigned.
• This position has the potential to come into contact with bodily fluids, communicable diseases, and tobacco smoke.
• Frequent standing and walking, with periods at a desk working on a computer.
• Manual dexterity for tasks such as preparing and administering medications, taking notes, and using technological devices for documentation.
• Must be ambulatory and able to negotiate stairways.
• The ability to lift and carry heavy weights that could be up to 25 pounds.

Education and Experience:

Required

• Diploma or certificate from an accredited practical nursing program.
• Current, unencumbered Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
• 1 year of experience as an LPN providing direct nursing care.

Preferred

• Experience providing nursing care to people with serious and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorders, ideally in a residential, IRTS, crisis, or inpatient psychiatric setting.
• Experience administering long-acting injectable psychotropic medications.
• Experience with EMAR and electronic health record systems.

Additional Requirements

• Must not be actively receiving services from Guild and must not have received services within the last two years.
• Must pass a Minnesota Department of Human Services background study.
• A valid Class ‘D’ Driver’s License, reliable vehicle, satisfactory driving record and necessary insurance.
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification is required.

Guild’s Employer Promise

We know you do your best work when you feel supported and have the flexibility to meet all of life’s demands, no matter what those demands might be. Guild is an environment where your emotional, physical, and social wellbeing matters. A place where we’re motivated to care for each other and to work together to make a difference in the lives of our clients. We show up for our clients and we show up for each other. And Guild shows up for you.

About Guild

Guild is a Minnesota not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that empowers those living with mental illness and/or experiencing long-term homelessness by helping them find the tools they need to lead stable, fulfilling lives in communities of their choosing.

Benefit Highlights

Guild Services offers a range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending, HSA, short and long-term disability; Paid Time Off; paid holidays; wellness hours; 403(b); life insurance; and more. Eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions apply.

The salary range for this position is between $57,915 - $64,085 annually. The range reflects the minimum and maximum salary for the position. Compensation will depend on the candidate’s professional experience, skills, and relevant education, training, and certifications.