Position Summary
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the day-to-day medical needs of youth residing within the residential treatment program. This position ensures the safe administration and management of medications, promotes preventative healthcare through routine wellness monitoring, coordinates medical services, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary treatment team to support each youth's physical health and overall well-being. The LPN serves as a clinical resource to direct care staff while ensuring compliance with licensing standards, physician orders, medication regulations, and agency policies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Medication Management
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Administer medications in accordance with physician orders, agency policies, and applicable state regulations.
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Maintain accurate Medication Administration Records (MARs).
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Complete medication inventories, reconciliation, and documentation during medication deliveries and shift changes.
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Monitor medication effectiveness, side effects, and adverse reactions, notifying providers as appropriate.
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Ensure medications are stored, secured, and disposed of according to regulatory requirements.
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Coordinate prescription refills and communicate with pharmacies to prevent interruptions in medication availability.
Health Monitoring and Nursing Care
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Conduct monthly wellness assessments for each youth, including:
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Vital signs
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Weight (when applicable)
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General health status
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Review of medical concerns
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Follow-up on chronic medical conditions
To successfully perform the responsibilities of this position, the Licensed Practical Nurse must consistently demonstrate competency in the following areas:
Medication Administration
Safely administers medications while maintaining accurate documentation, monitoring effectiveness, preventing medication errors, and ensuring compliance with physician orders and regulatory standards.
Clinical Assessment
Performs routine nursing assessments, identifies changes in health status, recognizes potential medical concerns, and initiates appropriate interventions or referrals.
Care Coordination
Effectively coordinates medical appointments, specialty care, follow-up services, and communication between healthcare providers, families, and treatment teams.
Youth-Centered Care
Provides compassionate, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate nursing care that supports each youth's physical and emotional well-being.
Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment
Applies sound nursing judgment when evaluating symptoms, reviewing incidents, assessing medical concerns, and determining appropriate follow-up actions.
Documentation Excellence
Maintains complete, accurate, objective, and timely documentation that meets legal, clinical, and regulatory requirements.
Collaboration
Works effectively with physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, residential staff, families, pharmacies, and community healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.
Professionalism
Demonstrates integrity, accountability, reliability, ethical practice, confidentiality, and adherence to professional nursing standards.
Minimum Qualifications
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Current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Indiana.
This position is performed primarily within a residential treatment facility serving youth with behavioral health, developmental, and emotional needs. The LPN may be exposed to behavioral crises, infectious illnesses, and emergency medical situations requiring prompt clinical response. Regular travel to community medical appointments is required.
