LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

Sonoma Specialty Hospital, as the county's only Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, is dedicated to caring for patients that require an extended acute care stay due to severe illness or catastrophic injury. We accept patients from the ICU, Step-Down and Telemetry units of partner hospitals and continue their care for as long as 45 days. This care focuses on the challenges of getting patients off of ventilator support, healing severe wounds, aiding their recovery following surgical procedures, and providing rehabilitation to speed their return to daily life. Our Hospital provides ICU, Surgical, and Step-Down care with dialysis, multi-specialty therapies and ongoing planning for the patient's transition back home or into a lower level of care.

Using independent and interdependent judgment, the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) maintains the delivery of quality care by assuring the nursing care plan is followed. In collaboration with the physician and registered nurse, the LVN assures implementation of the assessment plan and follows up of the plan of care for the patient population.

Duties and Responsibilities (including, but are not limited to the following):

Responsibilities to the Patient:

A. Participates in an on-going systematic data collection of the physical, emotional, social, educational, and functional needs of the patient/family through interview, observation, and physical examination.

1. Provides plans, coordinates or manages nursing care, nursing services, and health education to patients/ residents.

B. Interprets data collection and information to follow nursing care plan which contains problem identification, nursing diagnosis, nursing orders, approaches, interventions, short/long term goals, and discharge planning.

1. Follows nursing care plan utilizing nursing diagnosis

2. Assesses safety and fall risk levels for patients

C. Assures that medical orders are transcribed and processed accurately and integrates the medical care plan into the provision of nursing care.

D. Assures that medication is correct and according to the established nursing policies and procedures.

1. Looks up unfamiliar medications

2. Process medication orders

3. Administers medications as ordered

4. Evaluates effectiveness of PRN medications

5. Verbalizes process for self-administered medications

E. Provides for personal and environmental safety in accordance with hospital and nursing policies and procedures.

F. Demonstrates skills in handling emergencies and life-threatening situations

1. Locates and uses crash cart items

2. Calls Code Blue and Medical Emergency

3. Initiates CPR

4. Follows P&P and POLST

G. Assures that documents in the medical record are complete, factual, accurate and timely.

1. Documents materials and equipment used.

2. Verbalizes method to noting orders.

3. Documents discharge notes in chart.

4. Follows initiated care plans and updates care plan as appropriate under RN supervision.

5. Provides discharge instructions and any re-education as needed.

6. Completes interagency transfer form.

H. Provides nursing care to meet patient needs:

1. Collects data for a complete head-to-toe assessment of each assigned patient per shift using proper documentation tools.

2. Acts promptly on changes in patient condition

3. Reviews lab and test results, notifying physician of abnormal and critical results

4. Perform wound care in accordance with policy, utilizing proper documentation tools.

5. Basic Respiratory Monitoring and Support (Non-Invasive):

a. Perform respiratory data collection (e.g., breath counts, pulse oximetry monitoring).

b. Assist with application and monitoring of pulse oximeters and other basic respiratory devices.

c. Administer prescribed aerosolized medications (e.g., nebulizer treatments) that do not require manipulation of invasive or non-invasive ventilation equipment.

d. Provide hygiene care related to respiratory needs (e.g., replacing tracheostomy ties/gauze, stoma site care) as delegated and within competence.

e. Assist with oxygen therapy within established protocols (e.g., transporting portable oxygen, assisting with set-up under supervision).

f. Documentation and Communication

g. Document respiratory status, observations, and treatments provided in the patient record.

h. Report changes in respiratory status or unusual findings promptly to the supervising RN/physician.

Responsibilities to Unit Staff:

A. Prioritizes activities and plans for effective use of time for patient needs.

B. Communicates the plan of nursing care for each patient through reports, conferences, rounds, and patient care records.

1. Shift to shift report and shift huddle with aides

D. Demonstrates responsibility for the teaching of nursing assistants in areas of new techniques, policies and procedures.

1. Preceptor

E. Participates in the quality improvement activities of nursing.

1. Attends appropriate meetings.

F. Communicates identified learning needs of self and others to the DON.

G. Assists the DON in the orientation of new staff.

H. Adheres to established policies and procedures of the hospital and Nursing Department.

I. Actively participates on nursing committees.

J. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Responsibilities to Self:

A. Evaluates own performance and seeks opportunities for growth and expansion of skills

B. Takes initiative in upgrading and maintaining skills necessary to provide quality care to patients and leadership to assigned staff.

C. Acquires sufficient continuing education to maintain licensure and certification:

1. Maintains current nursing licensure

2. Provides Human Resources and DON with a copy of current nursing license.

3. Maintains required competencies

4. Completes assigned program tracks assigned by DON/DSD.

5. Completes appropriate level of Clinical Advancement within established timeframes

D. Membership in appropriate professional organizations.

E. Assumes responsibility for maintaining/enhancing physical health and alleviating stress

1. Attendance

F. Demonstrates competency in a variety of nursing skills as demonstrated and evaluated on at least an annual basis.

1. Attends annual skills fair

G. Displays a "customer service" attitude toward patients, visitors, and other staff members at all times.

1. Demonstrates basic telephone skills (how to answer, place on hold, and transfer a call.)

2. Utilizes intercom

3. Demonstrates how to page physicians or others on call.

H. Abides by all safety, infection control, and other guidelines as required.

1. Follows guidelines for caring for patients in isolation

2. Utilizes hand-washing techniques

3. Cleans equipment between patient usages.

4. Reports personal symptoms of suspected illness or contagious disease to Employee Health.

5. Demonstrated knowledge of universal blood and body fluid precautions

I. Promotes an ethic of continuous quality improvement in all matters associated with the position, and documents specific quality improvement implementation.

J. Performs all other tasks and duties as may be assigned.

K. Provides a level of competency to treat patients 18 and older.

1. Adults:

a. Involves them with care planning by meeting any needs they identify during assessment

b. Identifies their normal patterns of living and strives to attain them

2. Geriatric:

a. Strives to obtain understanding by speaking distinctly and moving slowly.

b. Involves family as much as possible

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience:

· A valid CA State Vocational Nurse License.

· BLS certification required in compliance with AHA guidelines

· ACLS