Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary

Prepares and dispenses Methadone for the purpose of the treatment of opiates addiction and to provide nursing services to the methadone unit. Work is performed in accordance with legal, regulatory and professional standards.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Evaluates person’s status, prepares and dispenses medications per physician’s orders

• Assures that urine specimens are collected and processed to the laboratory and forwards results to appropriate staff

• Revises and updates daily methadone dispensing records. Updates dosage changes on patient records and data entry

• Maintains internal contact records of methadone ordering and inventory; narcotic records

• Reads and charts results of Mantoux testing

• Provides nursing support to physician by assisting with physical examinations and assuring appropriate medical follow-up

• Charts all pertinent medical information processed by the nursing department in the progress notes of each person’s chart, makes appointments for medication evaluation etc. and preps chart for the physician

• Provides information to medical facility or health agency needing assistance with reference to patient status

• Maintains and stocks nursing supplies as needed

• May need to assist in operations of methadone unit as dictates by need

• Become familiar with and have working knowledge of standards for treatment within the program, agency, state, federal and DEA

• Attends staff meetings and clinical case conferences when necessary, and other programs meetings or training sessions

• Provides coverage for the nurses’ station during dispensing hours on a daily basis, as well as weekend coverage when required

• Generates urine labels once a month

• Checks missed medication list for individuals who need to be placed on hold

• Checks transportation forms on each person and gives to appropriate staff

• Schedules appointments for individuals who are positive for opiates, decreases and increases either with or without encounter form

• Files charts

• Sets up guest medications from other clinics. This involves phone contact and mini registration, coordinating information with the registrar and physician

• Completes work-up on intakes in preparation for the physician including urine collection, gathering insurance information, filling out requisition slips, contacting lab for urine pick-up, assembling intake packets for physician and scheduling blood work on new intakes

• Evaluates and takes appropriate action in emergency situations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience     LPN or RN Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required. Registered nurse preferably with substance abuse experience.       

Language Skills                                                       

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills                                                 

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Computer Skills                                                       

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of BTI and AMS Database software; and Internet software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Pennsylvania Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN)