Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Detox Services

Position Summary 

The Detox LPN provides practical nursing care to clients receiving substance use withdrawal management services under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse, licensed provider, or other authorized supervising clinician consistent with New Mexico LPN scope of practice, facility policy, and verified competency. The LPN contributes to client assessment, implements appropriate aspects of the plan of care, administers medications and treatments as ordered and permitted, documents observations and interventions, communicates changes in condition, and supports a safe, therapeutic detox environment. This role ensures that the Medical Technicians provide safe and effective patient care and adhere to all policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Monitoring and Withdrawal Care

• Contribute to ongoing nursing assessment by collecting and reporting client data, including vital signs, withdrawal symptoms, level of alertness, orientation, sleep, intake, pain, nausea/vomiting, tremor, anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, seizure risk indicators, fall risk indicators, and other clinically relevant observations. 

• Perform and document withdrawal monitoring tools assigned by facility policy and competency, such as CIWA-Ar, COWS, CIWA-B, or other approved tools, and report results according to provider notification and nursing escalation parameters.  

• Observe for signs of worsening withdrawal, oversedation, respiratory compromise, dehydration, acute confusion, delirium, seizure activity, suicidal or homicidal statements, severe behavioral escalation, falls, injuries, infection symptoms, or other urgent concerns.  

• Implement assigned aspects of the nursing care and detox protocols within LPN scope, verified competence, active orders, and supervisory direction.  

• Participate in evaluating client responses to interventions and communicate changes or lack of improvement to the RN and/or provider.  Medication Administration and Treatment Support 

• Administer medications and treatments as ordered and permitted by New Mexico law, facility policy, medication administration training, and demonstrated competency.  

• Monitor and document client response to scheduled and PRN medications, including effectiveness, adverse effects, sedation level, withdrawal response, vital sign response, refusals, missed doses, and client education reinforcement provided.  

• Follow controlled substance procedures, medication security requirements, medication count expectations, waste/destruction procedures, and documentation standards.  

• Escalate medication concerns promptly, including medication refusal, suspected diversion, medication error, adverse reaction, inadequate symptom control, significant sedation, abnormal vital signs, or need for provider clarification.  Documentation and Communication  

• Document timely, accurate, objective nursing observations, interventions, medication administration, client education reinforcement, provider notifications, RN notifications, reassessments, incidents, refusals, and responses to care in the electronic health record.  

• Communicate clinically significant findings to the RN, provider, and interdisciplinary team according to facility policy and urgency of condition.  

• Maintain confidentiality and protect client health information in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 where applicable, facility policy, and professional standards.  Safety, Milieu, and Emergency Response  

• Support a safe therapeutic environment by maintaining awareness of client behavior, fall risk, withdrawal acuity, contraband concerns, environmental hazards, and changes in milieu stability.  

• Participate in emergency responses according to facility policy, including seizures, falls, overdoses, behavioral crises, medical emergencies, and activation of EMS when indicated by policy or clinical urgency.  

• Use de-escalation, trauma-informed communication, and appropriate boundary setting when interacting with clients experiencing distress, agitation, intoxication, withdrawal, or emotional dysregulation.  

• Report unsafe conditions, staffing concerns, client-care concerns, suspected abuse/neglect/exploitation, medication safety concerns, and professional conduct concerns through the appropriate chain of command.  Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Client Education  

• Collaborate with RNs, providers, behavioral health clinicians, case managers, peers, technicians, and other team members to support coordinated detox care.  

• Provide basic health teaching and reinforcement of provider/RN education within LPN scope, including medication education, withdrawal expectations, hydration, sleep hygiene, infection prevention, tobacco cessation resources, follow-up care, and discharge instructions as assigned.  

• Participate in admission, transfer/transition, and discharge processes within role expectations, including collection of nursing data, medication reconciliation support as assigned, belongings/contraband procedures, discharge education reinforcement, and coordination with the RN/provider.  

Required Qualifications  

• Current Licensed Practical Nurse license in New Mexico or valid multistate LPN privilege permitting practice in New Mexico.  

• Current BLS/CPR certification from an accepted provider.  

• Ability to practice within New Mexico LPN scope, facility policies, written orders, and supervisory direction. 

• Ability to pass required background checks, employee health requirements, drug screening requirements, and any facility-specific credentialing requirements.  

• Basic computer skills and ability to document in the electronic health record.  

• Must have and maintain a current, valid NM Driver’s License, a clean driving record, and auto insurance.   

Preferred Qualifications 

 • Experience in detox, withdrawal management, substance use treatment, behavioral health, psychiatric nursing, emergency care, corrections, residential treatment, or medical-surgical nursing.  

• Experience with CIWA-Ar, COWS, CIWA-B, or similar withdrawal monitoring tools.  

• Training in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, verbal de-escalation, suicide risk awareness, medication-assisted treatment, infectious disease precautions, and controlled substance handling.  

• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.    

• Bi-lingual/Bi-cultural preferred (English, Spanish/Navajo) Physical and Working Conditions  

• Work occurs in a detox/behavioral health setting with clients who may be medically fragile, intoxicated, withdrawing, emotionally distressed, agitated, or behaviorally unstable.  

• May require standing, walking, bending, lifting, assisting with transfers, responding rapidly to emergencies, and working nights, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts.  

• May involve exposure to infectious disease, bodily fluids, controlled substances, workplace violence risk, and emotionally intense clinical situations; PPE and safety procedures must be followed.

Compliance and Professional Standards  

• Practices in accordance with the New Mexico Nursing Practice Act, New Mexico Board of Nursing rules, applicable federal and state regulations, facility policies, ethical standards, and professional boundaries.  

• Maintains individual competence, accepts only assignments consistent with licensure and competence, and seeks supervision or clarification when needed.  

• Reports concerns involving unsafe practice, unprofessional conduct, client abuse/neglect/exploitation, confidentiality breaches, medication errors, and other reportable events according to law and facility policy.