Licensed Vocational Nurse (Per Diem)

Title of Position: Licensed Vocational Nurse - Per Diem

Location: Gateways Hospital - Nursing


Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt

Union/ Non-Union: Union


Supervisor: Director of Nursing


Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center, located in Los Angeles, is a non-profit organization that provides an array of comprehensive mental health services for Children, Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and Adults suffering from mental illness in the Greater Los Angeles area. The organization consists of a standalone fifty-five (55) )-bed hospital and six outlying outpatient facilities that have anywhere from fourteen (14) beds to one hundred and thirty-four (134) beds. The organization has approximately four hundred (400) employees.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Licensed Vocational Nurse assists and supports the RN in patient care planning, organization and implementation, administering personal care, medications, treatment and procedures as authorized by hospital policy, LVN license/scope of practice and standards of nursing care.

ESSENTIALS DUTIES

• Assists the RN care planning, implementation, and evaluation of the patient
• Participates in patient care conferences, committee meetings and staff development programs to contribute toward improvement in patient care and to improve skills and knowledge.
• Assists the RN with orientation and instruction of aides, unit secretaries, patients and families concerning program and plan of care.
• Counsels patient and modifies behavior through presenting himself/herself as a positive role model, and encourages patient to appropriately socialize with staff and peers
• Helps formulate patient assessment, nursing intervention and goals as part of with the assistance of the treatment team.
• Performs related work as required or assigned by the Charge Nurse, Supervisor, or Chief Nursing Officer
• Contributes to a positive therapeutic milieu by action and responsible communication with coworkers, supervisors and administration on any issue of concern relevant to job responsibilities and the agency.
• Responsible for policy, procedure and safety suggestions to the Program Director, Nursing Supervisor, Patient Safety Officer and Environment of Care Director
• Maintains competence in all clinical skills necessary for performance of duties.
• Maintains competence in interpersonal skills necessary to direct and supervise ancillary staff
• Maintains skills necessary support administrative functions including, but not limited to problem solving, group facilitation, budgeting, development of standards and systems of improvement.
• Seeks learning opportunities to gain new knowledge / skills which result in continuous quality improvement.
• Seeks appropriate guidance from immediate supervisor to achieve expected outcomes.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Knowledge of all medications, with emphasis on psychiatric medications.
• Basic understanding of legal aspects of mental health including confidentiality, holds, probable cause hearings, and patients rights.
• Strong inter-personal and communication skills, leadership skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to work with adolescent and adult patients
• Operate select equipment.
• Basic physical assessment skills
• Understanding of individual, group, and family psychotherapy

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATES

• Graduated from accredited college/university/school
• Passed CA LVN State Board exam and has a license in good standing.
• Current licensure and registration by the State Board of Nurse Examiners as Licensed Vocational Nurse

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• One year experience in an adult and/or adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit; May include up to six (6) months experience on an inpatient chemical dependency unit.
• Experience with involuntary patients
• Experience with the Management Of Aggressive Behavior and seclusion and restraints.
• Completion of clinical rotation in Psychiatric Nursing.
• Completion of curriculum Pharmacology Class
• Reference from one nursing instructor/nurse manager

REQUIREMENTS

• Valid California Driver's license.
• Driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways insurance carrier.

* Note: If indicated certifications/licenses are lacking, they must be obtained within 180 days of hire.

**Training needs to be completed within 30 days from the date of hire on a designated date provided by onboarding. Staff need to be certified at the commensurate level for their role to perform their job duties (staff will be taken off the schedule if certification is not achieved).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• To perform this job you must be able to carry out all essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the job.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 25 pounds.