LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

Position SummaryUnder the general supervision of the Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, RN Charge Nurse, and Registered Nurse, this position evaluates inmates within the scope of their license, and provides necessary and appropriate nursing care while observing all security requirements.Essential FunctionsProvide basic patient care and treatments, such as taking temperatures and blood pressure, dressing wounds, treating pressure ulcers, performing catheterizations, starting IV'sCarries out designated nursing procedures, including administration of medications, assisting in the planning and formulation of nursing care plans; observes records and reports symptoms, reactions and changes in the conditions of all inmates; provides care based upon inmate need/conditionPrepare facility and/or prisoner for procedures and x-rays performed by practitionerMaintains logs and other reports as directed; assists with the reordering and stocking of supplies; maintains a clean work areaCollect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samplesIdentifying actual and potential health problems and developing appropriate plan of care or appropriate referralsProvides monitoring and/or observation of at-risk individualsRecord and report patient body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, height, weight, pain scale, and medical history in the electronic health recordAssist providers with examinations and/or treatments as neededRegular attendance and timeliness are requiredMinimum RequirementsEDUCATION: Required:Graduation from an accredited licensed vocational nursing programLicensed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in the State of TexasCurrent BLS/CPR CertificationSKILLS ~ EXPERIENCE: Required:Current and valid Texas driver's license and a safe driving recordMust maintain personal loyalty to the SheriffMaintain appropriate, unrestricted credentials according to the licensure, certification, and registration requirements of the jurisdictionConsiderable knowledge of nursing theory, techniques, and practicesWorking knowledge of medications, drugs, and narcotics and their effectsAbility to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplaceExceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, inmates, police departments and the publicGeneral knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Work, Excel, OutlookAbility to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all timesPossess excellent communication skills in expressing oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writingIs familiar with current medical documentation requirementsPreferred:1 year experience in Mental HealthDisqualifiers:Undesirable character or reputationA felony conviction or felony deferred adjudication against the laws of this state, another state, or the United StatesConviction including court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B Misdemeanor, or a Class B Misdemeanor within the last ten (10) yearsArrested for DWI or DUI in the past ten (10) yearsCurrently under indictment for any criminal offenseSold or manufactured any illegal drugsConviction, guilty plea, or probation for any family violence offenseDischarge from any military service under less than honorable conditions, or any other characterizations of service indicating bad characterSupplemental InformationENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:Contact with "at risk" clients and persons accursed or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and general publicWork is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facilityClimate-controlled environment. Significant contact with the public, elected officials, department heads, and other County employeesRisk of exposure to infectious diseases, but receives training in handwashing practices and Universal Precautions and has access to personal protective equipment if direct exposure is anticipatedPHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hearThe employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to find, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneelMust be able to safely lift 20 lbs.Although directed not to engage in physical contact with inmates, individual must be able to physically avoid combative or aggressive inmates and may occasionally become involuntarily engaged with combative inmatesHOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings and nights. Must be able to work 12 hour shifts.