Licensed Practical Nurse II

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking dynamic candidates to fill the role of Licensed Practical Nurse II at the Fenwood Inn. The Fenwood Inn is a 40-bed shelter for unhoused individuals with mental illness. This position serves as the licensed clinical supervisor for the Fenwood Inn Shelter and provides clinical oversight, administers medication, conducts crisis assessments and evaluations, and implements emergency procedures as needed to provide exceptional care to the shelter guests. 

Schedule: Monday-Friday 12am-8am, Saturday and Sunday off. Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime. 

Duties and Responsibilities: (these are a general summary, and not all inclusive)

 Direct Nursing Care

• Provides direct nursing care, including medication administration, vital signs, scheduled medical treatments, and basic first aid.
• Observes, records, and reports changes in shelter guests’ psychiatric or medical status on a daily basis.
• Administers and documents medications as prescribed; monitors physician orders each shift and completes monthly order summaries.
• Oversees and documents self-medication for guests of the Fenwood Inn.
• Provides daily medication teaching to support shelter guest independence.
• Identifies and provides for guests daily personal care and hygiene needs

Therapeutic Engagement & Client Support

• Develops and maintains therapeutic, professional relationships with persons served, adapting to individual needs and preferences.
• Implements treatment plans using sound clinical judgment, demonstrating initiative, effective decision-making, and consistent follow-through.
• Responds and adapts positively to changes in clinical priorities and assignments.
• Provides psychoeducation on medical care, treatment, and health-related matters.

Supervision & Collaboration

• Serves as charge nurse for assigned shifts; provides direct supervision to 1–5 staff and indirect supervision to 6–15 personnel.
• Collaborates with Visiting Nurse Agency staff.
• Assigns and reviews work for Mental Health Workers (MHWs); monitors punctuality and performance.
• Offers clinical oversight to staff regarding medication and clinical concerns.
• Works collaboratively with direct care staff and may participate in light housekeeping activities.
• Communicates effectively with the supervising RN and/or on-call nurse or supervisor.
• Provides supervision to other staff and trainees as assigned.

Operational Responsibilities

• Takes the lead in communicating promptly and collaboratively with MMHC and FI leadership as well as with the STS team when a guest is showing signs of increased distress or escalating emotions, supporting early intervention and safety planning.
• Responds effectively during emergency situations by maintaining calm, offering reassurance, and coordinating with the team to ensure the safety and well-being of all guests.
• Ensures adherence to the DMH Risk Mitigation Policy.
• Enters all reportable incidents into the DMH electronic incident reporting system per DMH policy.
• Completes Industrial Accident Reports per DMH policy.
• Adheres to infection prevention and control procedures, including cleaning, disinfecting equipment, and implementing necessary precautions.
• Maintains accurate records and documentation in compliance with DMH, MMHC, and regulatory requirements for quality assurance, utilization review, and legal standards.
• Schedules appointments and arranges transportation.
• Seeks ongoing professional development by attending or presenting at trainings and conferences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of practical nursing including sanitation and sterilization methods, and best practice techniques and procedures followed in a medical facility.
• Familiar with the custodial care challenges (personal hygiene, feeding, grooming, and dressing) of special client groups such as the blind, the hearing-impaired, people with IDD and Autism, and the handicapped.
• Experienced with the terminology, symbols and standard abbreviations used in medical practice, the types and application of emergency medical procedures such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and tourniquets and infection prevention and control practices, including the application and use of precautions. 
• Proficient in the nursing practice and procedures related to geriatrics and across the age spectrum, dementia and care of dementia patients or clients behavioral health disorders and appropriate interventions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression, and the principles and correct usage of the English language including grammar, spelling, sentence structure, word meaning, and punctuation.
• Able to write clearly and concisely, express thoughts clearly and develop ideas in a logical sequence as well as follow written and oral instructions.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computers, faxes, scanning, printing, and email for communication and correspondence.
• Ability to gather information through observing and interacting with individuals and by examining records and documents, apply and explain the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines of governing agency operations and maintain accurate records.
• Skilled in de-escalating clients and able to effectively interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Ability to work in a team setting and in group situations.
• Effective establishing rapport and deal tactfully with people from varied ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations, exercise sound judgment and conduct oneself with empathy.
• Able to assist clients with ambulating as needed.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of nursing as well as the policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing the assigned unit and/or residential activities.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of equipment used in providing physical and inhalation therapy and in providing orthopedic treatment, the types and uses of sterilization equipment and devices used in a medical facility and infection prevention practices and procedures including precautions and isolation.
• Knowledge of the use of advanced medical technology such as continuous glucose monitoring, bladder scanners, pressure mapping devices, ventilators and other devices necessary for the medical care of patients.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of equipment, chemicals, solutions and materials used in providing dialysis treatment and nursing practices and procedures related to dialysis treatment.
• Ability to document/input, search and review medical data electronically using various systems.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a current and valid license as a practical nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Current CPR certification.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: 

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.