Location & Practice Overview

This LVN/LPN position is based at PaRC (Prevention and Recovery Center) in Houston, a residential facility within the Discovery Behavioral Health network. The work environment is organized as a structured on-site residential treatment program.

Facility Type Residential behavioral health treatment center
Service Line Substance use and mental health recovery programs
Care Setting On-site residential facility
Geographic Context Houston, Texas
Practice Model Residential nursing within a structured behavioral health treatment program

Responsibilities

  • Administer prescribed and PRN medications and document administration, patient response, and effectiveness in the Medication Administration Record.
  • Collect clinical data, obtain vital signs, perform basic assessments, and promptly report changes in mental status, physical condition, or safety risks.
  • Monitor CIWA and COW scores for patients on detoxification protocols and communicate relevant nursing information to support care coordination.
  • Complete medication counts, reconciliation, and auditing; enter medication orders into the electronic medical record as directed; and verify medications brought by patients or families.
  • Collaborate with registered nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, and the interdisciplinary team; reinforce medication adherence education within LVN/LPN scope.
  • Provide patient transportation and supervision for medical appointments when pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle.

Nursing activities are performed under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed provider and follow organizational policies for documentation, safety, and escalation.

Qualifications & Requirements

Applicants must meet licensing, certification, and clinical knowledge standards for practice in a residential behavioral health setting.

Education & License
Graduate of an approved nursing program with current LVN/LPN licensure in good standing from the appropriate state board
Preferred Experience
One year preferred in mental health, substance use, chemical dependency, or eating disorders; prior staff nurse experience in behavioral health preferred
Certifications
Current Basic Life Support (CPR and First Aid); CPI certification required within 90 days of hire
Clinical Knowledge
Working knowledge of medication administration, common side effects, withdrawal symptoms, detoxification medications, and potential clinical complications
Professional Standards
Familiarity with nursing scope of practice, accreditation and regulatory standards, and industry expectations for clinical care assessment

Compensation & Benefits

Pay is structured as an hourly rate for this full-time position. Further benefit details are not listed in the source posting.

  • Hourly rate: $24–$31
  • Compensation structure: Hourly
  • Employment status: Full time
  • Benefits package: Not listed in the source posting

Schedule & Work Environment

Shift Hours 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Shift Length Approximately 12.5-hour scheduled shift
Scheduling Pattern Rotating schedule
Work Setting On-site residential facility

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The role serves adults receiving residential care for substance use disorders and related behavioral health needs in a structured recovery environment.

Primary Population Adults experiencing addiction and substance use disorders
Co-occurring Conditions Eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions
Patient Needs Substance use recovery support, behavioral health stabilization, and care for co-occurring conditions
Care Continuum Residential recovery-oriented services

Clinical Focus & Key Services

Clinical practice centers on medication safety, withdrawal assessment, behavioral health observation, and nursing support within a structured residential recovery program.

Withdrawal Management Structured assessment and support during detoxification protocols
Medication Safety Prescribed and PRN medication administration with accurate record-keeping
Behavioral Health Observation Ongoing monitoring of physical and mental status in a residential setting
Residential Stabilization Nursing contribution to recovery-oriented care for substance use and co-occurring conditions

Role Highlights

This position differs from many general LVN/LPN roles through its specialized residential recovery setting and combined clinical and support duties.

  • Specialized residential behavioral health environment rather than a general medical-surgical or acute-care setting
  • Combination of recovery-focused nursing and structured detoxification support within one program
  • Work with both substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions, including eating disorders
  • Occasional patient transportation responsibility when pre-qualified to operate a company vehicle

About PaRC (Prevention and Recovery Center) / Discovery Behavioral Health

PaRC (Prevention and Recovery Center) operates as part of the Discovery Behavioral Health family of brands. Discovery Behavioral Health maintains specialized behavioral health programs and a drug-free workplace that includes pre-employment substance abuse testing. The organization is an equal opportunity employer.

Organization PaRC, part of Discovery Behavioral Health
Brand Relationship Member of the Discovery Behavioral Health family of brands
Program Focus Treatment programs addressing alcohol and substance abuse recovery
Employment Policy Drug-free workplace with pre-employment substance testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is detoxification experience mandatory or preferred?
Experience in mental health, substance use, chemical dependency, or eating disorders is preferred rather than strictly mandatory. Knowledge of detoxification medications and withdrawal symptoms is expected.
Can an LVN/LPN be required to drive patients?
Yes. When pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle, the role includes patient transportation and supervision for medical appointments.
When must CPI certification be completed?
CPI certification must be obtained within 90 days of hire. Basic Life Support (CPR and First Aid) is required at the start of employment.
Are the shifts longer than a standard 8-hour day?
Yes. Scheduled hours run from 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM, corresponding to an approximately 12.5-hour shift on a rotating schedule.
Is the position entirely on-site?
Yes. The role is based at an on-site residential facility in Houston; remote or hybrid clinical work is not indicated.
Does the schedule specify fixed days of the week?
The posting describes a rotating schedule with the stated shift hours. Specific fixed weekdays or weekend patterns are not detailed.

LVN/LPN in Houston, TX

Residential behavioral health nursing occupies a distinct niche within Houston’s healthcare landscape. Unlike medical-surgical or acute-care LVN/LPN positions that emphasize short-stay procedures and rapid throughput, this type of role is embedded in a structured recovery environment where patients remain on site for treatment of substance use disorders and related conditions. The professional context centers on supporting stabilization, medication safety, and continuous observation rather than high-acuity interventions. In Houston, facilities such as PaRC operate within broader behavioral health networks that integrate addiction recovery programming with attention to co-occurring needs. For licensed vocational and practical nurses, the work draws on core nursing competencies—assessment, documentation, medication administration, and interdisciplinary communication—while applying them to a longer-horizon recovery model. The clinical rhythm is shaped by residential routines, detoxification protocols, and coordinated team input rather than emergency or procedural volume. This places the position at the intersection of licensed nursing practice and specialized behavioral health service delivery in the Houston metropolitan area, offering a clear alternative pathway for nurses whose interests align with recovery-oriented care settings.

Who This LVN/LPN Role May Suit

Behavioral health nursing can be a relevant career direction for LVNs and LPNs who want to expand their nursing practice into areas where physical health and behavioral factors intersect. Nurses with experience in long-term care, community health, primary care, rehabilitation, or other patient-centered specialties may bring transferable skills that support a transition into this field. It may also interest practical nurses who have developed a strong interest in mental health, patient communication, health education, or the broader social factors that influence recovery. For professionals considering a specialty change, behavioral health nursing offers an opportunity to build on established nursing knowledge while developing a deeper understanding of a different area of patient care. LVNs and LPNs exploring career options in Houston can consider this direction alongside other nursing specialties when deciding which professional environment best matches their interests, previous experience, and longer-term goals.

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