About this role
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following, other duties may be assigned.
• Adheres to agency policy and procedures, CARF and DMHSAS standards and criteria, federal and state confidentiality rules and regulations including HIPAA and 42CFR part 2, and any special funding source requirements.
• Supports and promotes a service environment for individuals in immediate need of behavioral health and/or co-occurring services that are recovery focused, welcoming, and attentive to the needs of individuals who may have experienced trauma in their lives. Attends annual core competencies training in relationship to individuals with co-occurring disorders or who have experienced trauma in their lives.
• Deliver direct nursing care to clients in acute crisis, including vital sign monitoring, basic health assessments, and ongoing observation.
• Administer prescribed medications and monitor for adverse reactions, side effects, and medication compliance.
• Assist with client admissions and discharges, ensuring accurate documentation, medication reconciliation, and respectful communication throughout the process.
• Provide nursing support during episodes of emotional or behavioral escalation using calm, trauma-informed responses.
• Monitor clients for physical or mental health changes and escalate concerns to medical or clinical staff as appropriate.
• Maintain timely and accurate nursing documentation in the electronic health record, following HOPE and ODMHSAS standards.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team—including prescribers, therapists, case managers, and peer support staff—to support short-term crisis stabilization goals.
• Promote a clean, safe, and therapeutic unit by participating in routine safety checks and supporting light housekeeping duties.
• Support meal service by assisting with distribution of food and ensuring proper sanitation standards are met.
• Participate in shift handoffs, daily team meetings, and required trainings to support continuity of care and team communication.
• Maintain safe storage, handling, and administration of medications, including controlled substances, in accordance with policy.
• Treat all clients with dignity and respect, maintaining appropriate boundaries and adhering to trauma-informed principles.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Current, unrestricted LPN license in the State of Oklahoma.
• Experience in behavioral health, substance use, or crisis stabilization preferred.
• Must meet all credentialing and background check requirements as set by ODMHSAS and HOPE.
• CPR certification required; de-escalation or crisis intervention training preferred.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Ability to provide calm, steady care in high-pressure or emotionally charged situations.
• Knowledge of behavioral health symptoms, psychiatric medications, and basic nursing interventions.
• Excellent communication and observation skills, with strong clinical judgment.
• Dependable and detail-oriented, with a focus on accurate documentation and safe medication administration.
• Team-oriented with a flexible, supportive attitude and commitment to collaborative care.
• Comfortable working with individuals in crisis from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs.
• Committed to maintaining professional ethics, confidentiality, and trauma-informed care practices.
• Reliable attendance and flexibility to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed in a 24/7 setting.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Deep commitment to serving individuals with complex behavioral health needs with empathy, respect, and dignity.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, engage clients meaningfully, and meet them where they are—emotionally and physically.
• Ability to apply trauma-informed principles in all interactions, creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for healing and growth.
• Skilled in navigating systems and advocating for clients to access services that promote stability, independence, and recovery.
• Comfortable working in community-based settings, including homes, shelters, hospitals, and public spaces.
• Organized and self-motivated, able to balance a full caseload while meeting documentation and billing standards.
• Collaborative team member who communicates openly, respects diverse perspectives, and contributes to a supportive work environment.
• Tech-savvy and capable of using electronic health records, documentation systems, and virtual communication platforms.
• Willingness to grow, receive feedback, and participate in ongoing training to better serve clients and uphold HOPE's mission.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, detailed correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to families, clients, and other employees of the organization.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to seek out supervisory assistance for additional training when needed and make application of techniques or other skills to meet essential job duties and responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 5 pounds. Employees must have vision enough to read written or typed data; hearing and speech enough to communicate effectively with staff, clients, and public in person or by phone and to dictate service notes for transcription.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.