At Access: Supports for Living and our Access: Network partners, we help people live the healthiest and fullest lives possible - and we support our staff in doing the same. Across our family of organizations, team members work in mental health, substance use, disability, employment, housing, and family services, doing meaningful work in a collaborative and respectful environment. We offer supportive leadership, opportunities to learn and grow, competitive benefits, and the chance to build a career with purpose. If you’re looking for work that matters and a team that values what you bring, the Access Network is a great place to be.

Location: Westchester, NY

Pay Rate: $33.00 per hour

Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM, Approx. 2-3 days/week. (some flexibility with the shift hours)

Must be able to work an 8 hours shift. 

OVERVIEW OF PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES:

We are seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team. The LPN will assist with providing psychiatric and medical health care, medication support, and health education to clients in the community. This role involves traveling to participants’ homes and other community settings throughout Rockland County, working under the supervision of the ACT Registered Nurse and ACT Psychiatrist/MD. The LPN will monitor client health, provide direct support, and assist the team with treatment planning, documentation, and coordination of care.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), is an evidenced-based practice that uses a person-centered and recovery-based approach to offer treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to individuals that have been diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI). Typically, individuals served by ACT have a treatment history that includes multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, risk of harm to self or others, and lack of success in traditional outpatient services.  Many of these individuals are also living with co-occurring substance use disorders, and ACT utilizes a harm reduction approach to support them in reaching their self-identified recovery goals. 

ACT services are provided by a mobile, multi-disciplinary team who meet at the program participant’s residence and in mutually agreed upon settings in the community where the participant feels comfortable. ACT supports recovery through a highly individualized approach that provides participants with the tools to obtain and maintain housing, employment, relationships, wellness, and relief from symptoms and medication side effects. The nature and intensity of ACT services are developed through the person-centered service planning process and adjusted through the process of daily team meetings and frequent contacts with participants and their collaterals.  

The goal of ACT services is to assist individuals to achieve their personally meaningful goals and life roles.  ACT integrates the principles of trauma-informed care and cultural competence, addressing the impact of discrimination/stigma, and inter-system collaboration into its service philosophy.  

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

• Provide nursing care and health support under the supervision of the ACT Registered Nurse and Psychiatrist/MD.
• Assist in administering prescribed medications, including injections, and monitoring medication adherence.
• Monitor client health status (e.g., vital signs, symptoms, side effects) and promptly report findings to the RN or MD.
• Provide wellness education and support in areas such as nutrition, substance use, chronic disease management, and medication self-management.
• Assist with coordinating laboratory services, drawing labs (if within scope), and tracking results.
• Support clients with medication organization, refills, and adherence strategies.
• Document all services and progress notes in the electronic health record system in a timely manner and in compliance with all relevant federal, state, and agency regulations, laws, policies, and protocols.
• Assist in implementing and updating individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the ACT team.
• Escort or arrange transportation for clients to medical and psychiatric appointments as needed.
• Provide health education and guidance to clients, families, and caregivers, under RN/MD direction.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, trainings, and clinical supervision.
• Carry a small caseload of program participants as assigned based on staffing and program needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned in accordance with LPN scope of practice.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL / ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:

• Travel to participant homes and facilities with varying environments (e.g., elevated buildings, walk-ups, care facilities, single/multi-family homes, pets, etc.).
• Transport and utilize medical supplies and equipment as needed.
• Collaborate with pharmacies to ensure timely delivery of medications.
• Provide advocacy, emotional support, and crisis assistance in coordination with the RN and team.
• Participate in staff development trainings and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Initiative, good judgment, and strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of mental illness and psychotropic medications preferred.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• Ability and willingness to deliver services in the field, including in participants’ homes.
• Commitment to person-centered, recovery-oriented practice.
• Team player, flexible, and able to follow RN/MD direction while managing competing priorities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Current NYS license and registration as a Licensed Practical Nurse required.
• Valid NYS driver’s license required.
• Experience in mental health or psychiatric nursing strongly preferred.
• Electronic health reporting experience preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Yiddish speaking a plus.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to perform the job's essential functions successfully.

• Must be able to move throughout the workday and accompany individuals served in the community.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods while using a computer.
• Able to work in an open-space office setting in close proximity to co-workers (within 3 feet).
• Must be able to move in tight spaces as needed.
• Occasional lifting of more than 5 lbs. (e.g., carrying backpack with laptop and materials).
• Able to work in open space floor plan
• Must be capable to move throughout work day

EEO