LVN

Licensed Vocational Nurse

The Licensed Vocational Nurse 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.
• 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.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists in the delivery of patient care in an acute psychiatric setting for patients experiencing a wide range of psychiatric conditions.
• Provides nursing care, within the scope of practice, to meet the unique needs of each patient.
• Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse by collecting data related to the patient's condition.
• Reports data findings related patient's condition to the Charge Nurse.
• Assists the Registered Nurse in assessing for pain, utilizes pain scale and documents accordingly.
• Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse to organize and deliver patient care, and to supervise staff.
• Documents patient activity and behavior in an accurate, timely and legible manner.
• 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.
• Provides 1:1 intervention as directed. Reports significant developments to Charge/Staff Nurse.
• Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse in assessing the patient's response to interventions; Communicates these findings to other team members.
• Responds to patient in manner that takes into account patient's diagnosis, strengths, weaknesses, and current level of functioning.
• Transcribes and administers medications and treatments accurately. Documents correctly and legibly on medication record.
• Initiates infection control form and makes addition to treatment plan when medications ordered indicate a medical problem.
• Demonstrates responsibility for the proper safekeeping, monitoring, and accurate recording of all controlled medications kept on the unit.
• Follows safety procedures. Secures contraband.
• Keeps Charge/Staff Nurse informed of events that may change staffing needs such as: admissions, discharges, transfers and patients in crisis.
• Provides education to patients based upon learning needs, Documents education about medications, disease management and coping mechanisms.
• 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.
• Demonstrates effective management of assaultive behavior, use of Seclusion and/or Quiet Time.
• Demonstrates utilization of most facilitative measure prior to Seclusion and Restraint: 1:1, diversional activities, groups, PRN medications, peer support, and/or decreases stimulation.
• Demonstrates use of application of restraints; monitors patients in restraints; provides fluids, food, ROM and bathroom. Assesses and assists with discontinuation criteria.
• Demonstrates competence in CPI: Personal Defense Releases, Blocks, Restraint Techniques, and Escort Techniques.
• Demonstrates competence in Verbal De-Escalation skills.
• Utilizes appropriate observation level for patient: Q15 minute checks, Q5 minute checks, line of sight visual observation, and 1:1 observation.
• When seclusion and/or restraints are used, has patient assessed by a Charge/Staff Nurse and ensures that all required documentation is completed.
• Regularly reviews work in progress, ensuring that all physician and medication orders are carried out and recorded.
• Monitors patient for adverse drug reactions and reports any adverse drug reactions immediately to the Charge Nurse, physician or pharmacist.
• Ensures that medication consents are obtained and signed prior to administering psychotropic medications.
• Informs Charge Nurse when patient refuses medication.
• Practices the "5 Rights" of medication administration. Knows side effects, normal dosage, contraindications of all medications given.
• Has no more than four (4) medication errors per calendar year.
• Ensures that physician orders are affected within 30 minutes and transcribed within one hour.
• Ensures that lab results and other test results are posted upon receipt.
• Communicates essential information to other team members; exchanges relevant information at change of shift report.
• Provides direction and orients new staff, demonstrating a thorough knowledge and adherence to hospital policy and procedures.
• Is proficient in special procedures including, but not limited to glucometer, 02 Administration and calculation of insulin dosage.
• Completes charting on all assigned patients in progress notes and all pertinent graphics. Charting reflects patient's problem, interventions used and evaluation of outcome.
• Is self-directed, recognizes what needs to be done and takes action; works well with direction.
• 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.
• Ensures Patients Rights and Confidentiality.
• Demonstrates appropriate therapeutic boundaries. Consistently follow established procedures.