Job Purpose/Summary

The Adult DAS LPN Caseworker provides direct care services for individuals who are experiencing immediate crisis related psychiatric emergencies. The incumbent administers and dispenses medications to consumers, as well as safeguards medications stored at the office. The Adult DAS LPN Caseworker schedules and attends psychiatric/some medical appointments with individuals. The position provides individual, basic, bio-psychosocial assessments, service linkage in a co-occurring environment, and co-occurring, individual, and group sessions. The incumbent promotes coping skills and assists in the planning/preparing discharge process.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) License from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Experience:

• 1 - 3 years of work experience in a mental health field or any combination of education and training.
• Minimum of 1 year of full-time experience in a mental health setting with progressive leadership experience.

Licenses, Certifications & Clearances: 

• Act 33/34 Clearances
• FBI Clearance
• Valid State of PA Class 1 Drivers License
• Access to properly insured motor vehicle for client transportation and fieldwork and a safe driving record

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Exhibits ethical business behavior and maintains confidentiality of information and compliance as required by WFS policy.
• Ability to exhibit cultural sensitivity and to contribute to a work environment where diversity is welcomed and supported.
• Characteristics:
  • Conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change
  • Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems
  • Commitment to valuing a nurturing family as the ideal environment
  • Capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals
• Ability to make nursing assessments, plan interventions, and implement treatment plans.
• Ability to perform professionally the technical aspects of nursing.
• Ability to make perspective observations of consumers’ condition and document accurately.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working rapport with consumers, other members of the mental health team, or service providers.
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate the needs of consumers/staff.
• Ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage time by prioritizing and organizing activities to meet competing needs within deadlines.
• Knowledge of the principles used in providing CRR/DAS services:
  • Recovery principles
  • Co-occurring disorder education
• Knowledge of risk assessment and the ability to conduct suicide and violence risk assessments.
• Ability to collaboratively document services in recovery-oriented means, including:
  • Assessments
  • Progress notes
  • Discharge summaries
• Ability to assess individuals and their specific needs:
  • Individual, current circumstances
  • Mental status exam
  • Diagnosis – knows broad diagnostic categories
  • Co-occurring disorders
  • Co-morbidity of medical conditions
  • Medication management
  • Crisis management skill development
• Knowledge of position responsibilities, including state mandates and county expectations.
• Knowledge and skill in the development and implementation of crisis intervention strategies:
  • Proactive versus reactive interventions
• Ability to identify and manage the symptoms of severe mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of medications for managing the symptoms of severe mental illness.
• Ability to work professionally and effectively with other community agencies, the general public, and agency staff.
• Knowledge on service planning:
  • Collaborative service planning principles
  • Process of developing a collaborative service plan
  • Development of crisis plans
  • Development of WRAP plans
  • Development of mental health advanced directives
• Knowledge about identifying and managing substance use problems:
  • Knowledge of 12-step programs, groups, area resources, recovery/prevention/rehabilitation, children/adolescents with disorders, planning, and documentation
  • Ability to identify symptoms, support systems, and community resources
  • Knowledge of the treatment needs of the MISA population and internal and external resources
  • Knowledge of the needs of the adult population and community resources (inpatient units, dual diagnosis, intensive outpatient services, etc.)
• Knowledge about identifying and managing co-morbid health problems and promoting wellness.
• Ability to help individuals find meaningful activity, employment, and maintain employment.
• Ability to set appropriate limits and knowledge of ethics in providing service coordination.
• Knowledge of the guidelines and regulations for all CRR/DAS program worker positions.
• Ability to manage time by prioritizing and organizing activities to meet agency, county, and state statistical guidelines and required time frames.
• Ability to utilize supervision in a constructive manner.
• Ability to work independently, utilizing good judgment.
• Knowledge of ways to access services: resources, benefits, commitment procedures.
• Ability to assist with the coordination of services across programs/providers.
• Effective use of problem resolution – advocacy, data, grievances.
• Knowledge of recovery resources – informal supports, services.
• Ability to identify the strengths and needs of individuals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists with implementation of consumer’s Individual Service Plan (ISP), facilitates consumer’s participation in external daytime services, such as the Partial Hospital Program, Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR), Socialization Rehabilitation, leads psycho-educational groups discussing co-occurring disorders and medication education, and provides 1-on-1 counseling sessions.

• Participates with the multi-disciplinary treatment team. Assists with follow through recommendations.

• Communicates with consumers, families, significant others, or service providers. Provides supportive interventions as warranted.

• Prepares and administers medications prescribed by the physician, such as oral medications (indigent meds) or injectable medications.

• Coordinates ordering necessary medical supplies as needed.

• Assists in safeguarding medications stored on the agency premises in accordance with established agency procedure.

• Assesses the needs of consumers who may become physically ill while at the CRR/DAS unit.

• Serves on the agency’s Pharmacy Utilization Review Committee (PURC) and other agency panels/teams as appointed by the DAS Coordinator.

• Collaborates with pharmacies, physicians, service providers, and the medical secretary to resolve consumer medication issues.

• Utilizes supervision, current literature, consultations, and staff development opportunities.

• Coordinates educational/staff development in-services for agency staff on medications relevant to mental health care providers.

• Adheres to PA regulations and the requirements set forth by the Federal Agencies of OSHA and the Department of Transportation governing the management of infectious and chemotherapeutic waste, storage, and removal.

• Assists in psychiatric crisis situations.

• Dispenses controlled stimulant prescription only as physician prescribed (i.e., every month), while consumer is compliant.

• Advocates for consumers applying for indigent medications.

• Attends scheduled department meetings.

• Assists consumers with arranging medical and psychiatric appointments with their Service Coordinators or any service members as needed. Assures consumers have scheduled psychiatric appointments, as needed, each week and attends these appointments when consumers request staff input.

• Provides frequent and on-going emotional support and intervention and utilizes effective problem-solving techniques on a routine basis to consumers in various degrees of emergency crisis.

• Responsible for and assists co-workers with completing and coordinating consumers’ admissions and discharges, along with organizing case records as delegated. Takes lead role with all medication orders, while communicating with pharmacies involved with consumers. Seeks CCBHO, Allegheny County, Value, and Westmoreland County authorizations for admissions, along with following through on requesting additional days of stay.

• Communicates and participates in the resolution of clinical and treatment issues with internal professionals regarding individual services and program operations.

• Ensures that prescribed medications are taken by the consumer on a timely basis and according to physician instructions. Completes medication administration documentation, including pill counts. Trains newly hired staff on medication administration and the Quick MAR process.

• Provides training and orientation to newly hired staff in the CRR/DAS Program.

DAS LPN - Hiring bonus of $2,500 after 6 months and $2,500 after 1 year !!

Education: Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) License from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Experience:

· 1 - 3 years of work experience in a mental health field or any combination of education and training.

· Minimum of 1 year of full-time experience in a mental health setting with progressive leadership experience.

Pay: $22.00 per hour

Standard shift: Day shift

Weekly schedule: Monday to Friday; Weekends as needed

New Kensington, PA

Benefits for Full Time Employees:

Medical, Dental, and Visions plans effective the 1st of month after 30 days
Flexible Work Schedule
15 paid days off 1st year, 20 Paid days off 2nd year, then continues to increase
Tuition Reimbursement
Discounted Tuition for several local colleges/universities
11 Paid Holidays
Pet Insurance
Employer Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability
401k Plan - Employer match available!
Employer paid life insurance
Critical Illness Diagnosis & Accident Insurance
Yearly performance reviews with merit increase eligibility
FREE Licensure Supervision!!