Job Title:
SUD Licensed Vocational Nurse
Department:
Substance Abuse Disorder
Reports To:
SUD Program Director
Job Summary:
The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in the Substance Abuse Disorder focuses on delivering compassionate, high-quality medical care to individuals. The LVN will address a range of conditions, including chronic substance abuse management via administration of Medicated Assisted Treatment, acute care, and preventive services including administrating drug and alcohol screenings.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed physician
- Document all service contacts on a timely basis including face-to-face assessment, physical screenings.
- Oversee Medicated Assisted Treatment Program
- Work with Mental Health Department to screen mental health referrals and act as a liaison for SUD and behavioral health collaboration.
- Administer medications, treatments, and wound care as prescribed.
- Assist in assessing patient substance abuse health needs, performing vital sign checks, and documenting findings accurately in the electronic health record (EHR).
- Administers urine and breathalyzer drug and alcohol screenings for enrolled patients as part of the SUD program.
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary Clinica teams
- Educate patients on medication adherence, chronic disease management, and preventative substance abuse health practices.
- Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation in challenging situations.
- Ensure proper infection control practices while delivering care
- Establish and maintain trust with patients, fostering a safe environment.
- Participate in outreach work to connect patients in the community to our SUD Services
- Meets with Program Director and Medical Director as a means of enhancing professional growth, reviewing and processing the provision of case management, and dealing with appropriate clinical, and administrative issues
- Coordinate care and referrals with community organizations and social service providers to address holistic patient needs (e.g., housing, food security, mental health services).
- Maintain and ensure proper inventory of medical supplies and equipment for mobile operations.
- Comply with all organizational policies, procedures, and ethical standards in delivering care.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the program director, which are consistent with the position and in compliance with agency policies and procedures
- Ensures all drug and alcohol tests are properly completed, documented, and compliant with regulatory standards
- Reports positive test results to assigned counselors or case managers and mandated agencies when required
- Uploads and files drug and alcohol test results appropriately in patient records and communicates results to medical director
- Verifies patient eligibility for program benefits and assists eligible patients in obtaining them
- Conducts follow-ups and communicates appointment information to SUD Staff.
Qualifications:
- Lived experience or significant experience working with unhoused or vulnerable.
- Active and unrestricted California Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license.
- Minimum of 1–2 years of nursing experience, preferably in community health, urgent care, SUD, or working with underserved populations.
- Current BLS/CPR certification.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work in challenging environments.
- Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or behavioral health challenges preferred.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Comfortable delivering care in clinical settings.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods while providing care in various environments
- Capacity to lift, carry, and transport equipment or supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Comfort working with the Substance Abuse and transient population
- Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel as needed during patient care or outreach activities.
- Adequate manual dexterity to perform medical procedures, operate equipment, and manage electronic health records