LVN

Responsibilities

The LVN administers nursing care to designated patients under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse. Performs a variety of direct and indirect patient care duties.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education : Graduate from an accredited Vocational School of Nursing or Psychiatric Technician program required; Current licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Psychiatric Technician with the State of California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

Preferred Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a psychiatric health-care facility, preferred.

Licensure: Currently licensed to practice by the California State Board of Nursing.

Additional Requirements: CPR certification and successful completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training. CPI Training may be obtained during new hire orientation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the primary functions

Qualifications

PRIMARY CRITERIA/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists in the delivery of patient care in an acute psychiatric setting for patients experiencing a wide rage of psychiatric conditions.

2. Provides nursing care, within the scope of practice, to meet the unique needs of each patient.

3. Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse by collecting data related to the patient's condition.

4. Reports data findings related patient's condition to the Charge Nurse.

5. Assists the Registered Nurse in assessing for pain, utilizes pain scale and documents accordingly.

6. Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse to organize and deliver patient care, and to supervise staff.

7. Documents patient activity and behavior in an accurate, timely and legible manner.

8. Recognizes when patient is in need of 1:1 intervention and interacts therapeutically. Informs Charge/Staff Nurse of significant developments and documents in progress note.

9. Provides 1:1 intervention as directed. Reports significant developments to Charge/Staff Nurse.

10. Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse in assessing the patient's response to interventions; Communicates these findings to other team members.

11. Responds to patient in manner that takes into account patient's diagnosis, strengths, weaknesses, and current level of functioning.

12. Transcribes and administers medications and treatments accurately. Documents correctly and legibly on medication record.

13. Initiates infection control form and makes addition to treatment plan when medications ordered indicate a medical problem.

14. Demonstrates responsibility for the proper safekeeping, monitoring, and accurate recording of all controlled medications kept on the unit.

15. Follows safety procedures. Secures contraband.

16. Keeps Charge/Staff Nurse informed of events that may change staffing needs such as: admissions, discharges, transfers and patients in crisis.

17. Provides education to patients based upon learning needs, Documents education about medications, disease management and coping mechanisms.

18. Notifies Charge/Staff Nurse of patients with potential risk of injury due to falls or self-destructive or assaultive behavior; implements Fall Precautions. Communicates the potential risk of injury to others.

19. Demonstrates effective management of assaultive behavior, use of Seclusion and/or Quiet Time

20. Demonstrates utilization of most facilitative measure prior to Seclusion and Restraint: 1:1, diversional activities, groups, PRN medications, peer support, and/or decreases stimulation.

21. Demonstrates use of application of restraints; monitors patients in restraints; provides fluids, food, ROM and bathroom. Assesses and assists with discontinuation criteria.

22. Demonstrates competence in CPI: Personal Defense Releases, Blocks, Restraint Techniques, and Escort Techniques.

23. Demonstrates competence in Verbal De-Escalation skills.

24. Utilizes appropriate observation level for patient: Q15 minute checks, Q5 minute checks, line of sight visual observation, and 1:1 observation.

25. When seclusion and/or restraints are used, has patient assessed by a Charge/Staff Nurse and ensures that all required documentation is completed.

26. Regularly reviews work in progress, ensuring that all physician and medication orders are carried out and recorded.

27. Monitors patient for adverse drug reactions and reports any adverse drug reactions immediately to the Charge Nurse, physician or pharmacist.

28. Ensures that medication consents are obtained and signed prior to administering psychotropic medications.

29. Informs Charge Nurse when patient refuses medication.

30. Practices the "5 Rights" of medication administration. Knows side effects, normal dosage, contraindications of all medications given.

31. Has no more than four (4) medication errors per calendar year.

32. Ensures that physician orders are affected within 30 minutes and transcribed within one hour.

33. Ensures that lab results and other test results are posted upon receipt.

34. Communicates essential information to other team members; exchanges relevant information at change of shift report.

35. Provides direction and orients new staff, demonstrating a thorough knowledge and adherence to hospital policy and procedures.

36. Is proficient in special procedures including, but not limited to glucometer, 02 Administration and calculation of insulin dosage.

37. Completes charting on all assigned patients in progress notes and all pertinent graphics. Charting reflects patient's problem, interventions used and evaluation of outcome.

38. Is self-directed, recognizes what needs to be done and takes action; works well with direction.

39. Uses good judgment and needs minimal supervision, but able to recognize when needs to confer with Charge/Staff Nurse or Nursing Supervisor prior to making decisions; makes decisions that maintain hospital policy.

40. Ensures Patients Rights and Confidentiality.

41. Demonstrate appropriate therapeutic boundaries. Consistently follow established procedures.

Specific Standards for the Care of Child Patients Ages 5 through 11

1. Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.

2. Maintain knowledge of children's stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise.

3. Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior.

4. Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.

5. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning-disabled child.

6. Relate to child patients in an age-appropriate manner.

7. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.

8. Act as a resource to other staff regarding the Child Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients Ages 12 through 18

1. Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.

2. Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any

deviations in behavior.

3. Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.

4. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.

5. Relate to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner.

6. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.

7. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64

1. Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgements based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.

2. Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.

3. Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors and/or history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.

4. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.

5. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older

1. Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.

2. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care

and behavioral care.

3. Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.

4. Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patients' functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.

5. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.

Additional Standards

1. Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.

2. Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.

3. Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.

4. Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.

5. Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.

6. Registered nurses provide supervision to unlicensed staff (mental health technicians and unit clerks).

Note: The essential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION SHOULD CURRENTLY POSSESS. THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

1. Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures is essential.

2. Knowledge of all code procedures.

3. Knowledge of Mental Health Laws and Child Abuse/Neglect/Maltreatment laws, and the DHS provider agreement as applicable.

4. Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.

5. Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.

6. Effective oral and written communication skills.

7. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.

8. Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.

9. Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.

10. Ability to effectively problem-solve.

11. Ability to work as a team player.

12. Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.

13. Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.

14. Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups to which assigned (ranging from adolescent to geriatrics).

15. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

16. Ability to meet corporate deadlines.

17. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES HOW AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION CURRENTLY PERFORMS THE FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION. MODIFICATIONS TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS JOB MAY BE PERFORMED WILL BE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

1. The ability to competently and fully perform CPI techniques is an essential position function.

2. Must be able to hear sufficiently, with or without correction, to competently perform all essential job functions.

3. Ability to sit and stand (one-third of the shift) and walk (two-thirds of the shift).

3. Ability to reach above, at or below waist height, kneel, bend, stoop, turn and twist (occasionally up to frequently

4. Ability to see well enough to read charts, treatment plans and typewritten materials.

5. Ability to hear well enough to detect noises on the unit and have the ability to discern odors.

6. Ability to frequently lift and carry 10 lbs.; occasionally 20-50 lbs.

7. Ability to frequently push/pull wheeled carts weighing 100 lbs.

8. Ability to manipulate small and large tools (electric thermometer, telephone, wheelchair, blood pressure cuffs, walkers, paper punch, addressograph, restraints, staplers, EKG machine, copy machine, etc.).

9. Ability to spend 95% of the work day inside in temperatures varying from 60°-90° F., where noise levels range from low to high and the ability to spend 5% of the work day outside in temperatures varying from 30°-110° F.

10. Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste.

11. Ability to work in an environment where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning, where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present and where dust, mist and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks.

12. Ability to work at a rapid pace and perform a variety of repetitive duties.

13. Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids.

14. Must be available to work every other Saturday and Sunday, as required