LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

Description

Job Summary: 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

• Responsibilities to the Patient: 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.
• Provides plans, coordinates or manages nursing care, nursing services, and health education to patients/residents.
• 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.
• Follows nursing care plan utilizing nursing diagnosis.
• Assesses safety and fall risk levels for patients.
• Assures that medical orders are transcribed and processed accurately and integrates the medical care plan into the provision of nursing care.
• Assures that medication is correct and according to the established nursing policies and procedures, including looking up unfamiliar medications, processing medication orders, administering medications as ordered, evaluating effectiveness of PRN medications, and verbalizing process for self-administered medications.
• Provides for personal and environmental safety in accordance with hospital and nursing policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates skills in handling emergencies and life-threatening situations (locates and uses crash cart items; calls Code Blue and Medical Emergency; initiates CPR; follows P&P and POLST).
• Assures that documents in the medical record are complete, factual, accurate and timely (documents materials and equipment used; verbalizes method to noting orders; documents discharge notes in chart; follows initiated care plans and updates care plan as appropriate under RN supervision; provides discharge instructions and any re-education as needed; completes interagency transfer form).
• Provides nursing care to meet patient needs, including data collection for head-to-toe assessment, acting on changes in patient condition, reviewing lab/test results and notifying physician of abnormal/critical results, performing wound care, and basic respiratory monitoring and support per protocol.

To Unit Staff

• Prioritizes activities and plans for effective use of time for patient needs.
• Communicates the plan of nursing care for each patient through reports, conferences, rounds, and patient care records.
• Shift to shift report and shift huddle with aides; demonstrates responsibility for the teaching of nursing assistants in areas of new techniques, policies and procedures (preceptor).
• Participates in quality improvement activities of nursing (attends appropriate meetings).
• Communicates identified learning needs of self and others to the DON.
• Assists the DON in the orientation of new staff and adheres to established policies and procedures of the hospital and Nursing Department.
• Actively participates on nursing committees and performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities to Self

• Evaluates own performance and seeks opportunities for growth and expansion of skills; takes initiative in upgrading and maintaining skills necessary to provide quality care to patients and leadership to assigned staff.
• Acquires sufficient continuing education to maintain licensure and certification, including maintaining current nursing licensure, providing copy of license to HR and DON, maintaining required competencies, completing assigned program tracks, and completing appropriate level of Clinical Advancement within established timeframes.
• Maintains membership in appropriate professional organizations and performs self-care and fitness to maintain health.
• Demonstrates competency in a variety of nursing skills as evaluated annually; maintains a customer service attitude toward patients, visitors, and staff, including basic telephone skills, intercom usage, and paging physicians on call.
• Adheres to safety, infection control, and other guidelines; follows isolation care guidelines, hand-washing techniques, cleans equipment between patient usages, reports personal symptoms to Employee Health, and demonstrates knowledge of universal precautions.
• Promotes an ethic of continuous quality improvement and documents specific quality improvement implementation.
• Performs all other tasks as assigned and provides care to patients 18 years and older with geriatric considerations as applicable.

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 certification required in compliance with AHA guidelines

Experience Required:

• One year of experience as an LVN in an acute care facility preferred.
• The individual must have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, be dedicated to the provision of quality patient care, and use sound judgement in decision-making.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Has initiative in organizing work and completing assignments.
• Cooperates with staff to maintain well-organized department.
• Always demonstrates professional decorum.
• Is willing to accept directions from team leader.
• Maintains tactful and cheerful relationships with patients and visitors, respecting patient confidentiality.
• Must read, speak, write and comprehend English.
• Computer skills required. Basic math knowledge, including addition, subtraction and multiplication.