Licensed Practical Nurse

Job Description

We are seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse to join our nursing team to help our organization save lives and help those suffering from substance use disorder and mental illness. This position has overnight nursing hours, generally Monday-Sunday from 6 : 00 PM - 6 : 00 AM MST.

General Purpose

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) supports the Medical, Nursing, and Clinical teams in providing high-quality medical care within Peaks Recovery Centers (PRC) detox and residential settings. This role ensures a safe and stable environment for clients experiencing intoxication or withdrawal symptoms. The LPN performs essential nursing duties and serves as a medical resource for the Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) and Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assist medical and nursing teams with case management, treatment planning, group facilitation, documentation, patient education, and admission screenings.

Support the Medical Director, Medical Providers, Director of Nursing, and Charge Nurse in facility operations.

Administer medications per provider orders and medication management protocols.

Oversee prescription medication refills and administration.

Monitor and assess clients upon admission, addressing medical concerns within the scope of licensure, and contacting on-call Medical Providers as needed.

Accurately document patient records in the electronic medical record (EMR) system.

Provide guidance and oversight to Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) regarding patient care duties.

Identify and respond to emerging medical situations appropriately.

Conduct and document Urinalysis (UA) and Breathalyzer tests as necessary.

Monitor and document client vital signs, physical conditions, and behaviors.

Educate patients on medications and treatment protocols.

Completes patient safety checks through Visible Hand.

Safely dispose of biohazard waste per OSHA standards and adhere to universal precautions.

Communicate patient concerns to the Medical Provider and escalate medical emergencies appropriately.

Utilize behavioral management and de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe environment.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with team members, families, referral agencies, and community resources.

Lead group therapy sessions in collaboration with licensed clinicians to provide education on mental health disorders and addiction recovery from a medical lens.

Conduct client screenings using standardized assessments (e.g., PHQ-9, COWS, CIWA, etc.).

Obtain and document detailed medical histories for new admissions.

Perform daily vital signs checks and withdrawal assessments as required.

Monitor and document client responses to medications.

Triage clients for medical provider assessments or external medical care (e.g., urgent care, ER).

Participate in admission intake assessments as needed.

Educate patients on substance use disorder and recovery-related health risks.

Remain alert and awake during overnight shifts to ensure patient safety.

Attend staff meetings, in-service trainings, peer reviews, and supervision sessions.

Center-Wide Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with Colorado law, HIPAA, and PRC policies.

Adhere to all federal, state, and local laws, professional practice standards, and PRC policies.

Support PRC’s mission, vision, purpose, and core values, fostering a culture of wellness and teamwork - One Team, One Shift.

Complete patient records in the EMR system timely and accurately.

Engage in ongoing competency training and professional development.

Reviews and acknowledges PRC policies and procedures as requested / required.

Misc. Duties as Assigned

Participate in community outreach and educational projects as assigned.

Perform additional duties as directed by leadership.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his / her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

Requirements

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education or Formal Training :

Associate’s degree in Nursing or equivalent required.

Active and maintained Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensure with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

CPR or BLS certification is required.

1-2 years of experience in mental health and / or addiction treatment preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability :

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Knowledge of individual, group, family, and crisis intervention techniques.

Strong clinical judgment in assessing medical risks and responding to emergencies.

Basic computer proficiency, including electronic medical records (EMR) usage.

Familiarity with psychotropic and detox-related medications.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Adaptability to change and ability to handle stressful situations effectively.

Ability to express ideas clearly, concisely, compassionately, and effectively when addressing patients.

Demonstrates knowledge and application of nursing skills.

Ability to produce written documentation and / or electronic records of medical work in a manner readily understood by other service providers and in a manner that meets federal, state, and PRC documentation requirements.

Ability to assess the level of risk and make appropriate medical judgment for resolution of patient emergencies to effect a safe outcome.

Knowledge of psychotropic medications and medical information relevant to mental health disorders.

Knowledge of medications and medical information relevant to substance abuse disorder and the detox process.

Ability to interact with people in a professional, friendly manner.

Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively and constructively in an interdisciplinary team.

Ability to think critically and independently.

Ability to realize and activate potential in every interaction, every day.

Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.

Ability to use change as an opportunity for innovation and creativity.

Ability to inspire and model collaborative teamwork, in alignment with One Team Mindset.

Working Environment / Physical Activities

Extended periods working on a computer.

Frequent standing, walking, reaching, balancing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching.

Must be able to run if a patient emergency calls for it.

Must be able to perform CPR.

Moderate noise level in the work environment.

Ability to perform essential job duties with reasonable accommodations.

Benefits

401(k)

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Vision insurance

Ability to Commute :

Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate :

Colorado Springs, CO 80908 : Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Requirements

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education or Formal Training : Associate’s degree in Nursing or equivalent required. Active and maintained Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensure with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). CPR or BLS certification is required. 1-2 years of experience in mental health and / or addiction treatment preferred but not required. Knowledge, Skill and Ability : Strong verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of individual, group, family, and crisis intervention techniques. Strong clinical judgment in assessing medical risks and responding to emergencies. Basic computer proficiency, including electronic medical records (EMR) usage. Familiarity with psychotropic and detox-related medications. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Adaptability to change and ability to handle stressful situations effectively. Ability to express ideas clearly, concisely, compassionately, and effectively when addressing patients. Demonstrates knowledge and application of nursing skills. Ability to produce written documentation and / or electronic records of medical work in a manner readily understood by other service providers and in a manner that meets federal, state, and PRC documentation requirements. Ability to assess the level of risk and make appropriate medical judgment for resolution of patient emergencies to effect a safe outcome. Knowledge of psychotropic medications and medical information relevant to mental health disorders. Knowledge of medications and medical information relevant to substance abuse disorder and the detox process. Ability to interact with people in a professional, friendly manner. Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively and constructively in an interdisciplinary team. Ability to think critically and independently. Ability to realize and activate potential in every interaction, every day. Ability to adapt to change in the workplace. Ability to use change as an opportunity for innovation and creativity. Ability to inspire and model collaborative teamwork, in alignment with One Team Mindset. Working Environment / Physical Activities Extended periods working on a computer. Frequent standing, walking, reaching, balancing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching. Must be able to run if a patient emergency calls for it. Must be able to perform CPR. Moderate noise level in the work environment. Ability to perform essential job duties with reasonable accommodations.