Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Institutional (Harris Hospital)

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply. This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Office of Mental Health (OMH), Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital, 130 SC-252, Anderson, SC 29621.

As the Licensed Practical Nurse, working under supervision of the Registered Nurse, you will perform routine and specialized patient care duties to adult patients, ages 18 and above. You will administer medications, treatments and perform other nursing procedures. Must be knowledgeable in age-specific criteria and interventions appropriate for effective and therapeutic interaction with psychiatric patients, including those who have diverse backgrounds, disabilities and co-occurring disorders.

Responsibilities for the Licensed Practical Nurse:• Administer medications and treatments as ordered to assigned patients utilizing the closed loop medication administration style.

• Provide direct care to adult psychiatric patients including those who have diverse backgrounds, disabilities and have co-occurring disorders. Maintain a therapeutic relationship with patients.

• Provide patient teaching groups as required by supervisor (Example: Medication group, etc.)

• Record pertinent data in patient's medical record in real time.

• Precept newly hired Licensed Practical Nurse.

• Provide direction and guidance to non-licensed nursing personnel who delivers direct patient care.

• Maintain clinical competency by attending and qualifying in all mandatory training classes yearly (e.g. MAPS/MANDT, CPR, SCEIS, Modules, cross training and age-specific criteria) and obtain non-mandatory training of 15 hours per year.

• Successful completion of a registered nursing education program for professional nursing or an equivalent course of study from a registered nursing education program per Section 40-33-32 of the South Carolina Nurse Licensure Act.

Additional Requirements

• Must be licensed by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing (LLR).

• Ability to work with mentally ill adults.

• Ability to perform emergency care to victims with cardiac and/or respiratory arrest and other emergencies.

• Ability to demonstrate safe/effective use of patient care equipment. May be exposed to blood/bodily fluids.

• Ability to stand, walk, reach, pull, stoop, bend, and lift up to fifty (50) pounds, or more during emergencies, climb at least two (2) to three (3) flights of stairs and work with repetitive unusual behaviors.

• Graduation from an accredited school of practical nursing and one (1) year nursing experience. Successful completion of an eighty (80) hour Pharmacology course documented proficiency in the administration of medications may be substituted for the one (1) year experience requirement.

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Post hire, employees must: • Maintain clinical competency by attending and qualifying in all mandatory training classes yearly (e.g. MAPS/MANDT, CPR, SCEIS Modules, cross training, and age-specific criteria) and obtain non-mandatory training of fifteen (15) hours per year.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

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