Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Sheriff's

SHERIFF'S DETENTIONS LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

Class Title SHERIFF'S DETENTIONS LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

CLASSIFICATION PURPOSE AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, provides nursing care for the medical and psychiatric needs of incarcerated patients within a detention facility, and performs related work. Positions in this class are found in the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's Detentions Licensed Vocational Nurses provide nursing care to patients in detention facilities, which include clinics, medical and psychiatric housing units, and general housing units. Essential functions performed in the general housing units include medication, administration, lab tests, diagnostic testing, and treatments. This class differs from Licensed Vocational Nurse in that the latter is found in the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and provides skilled nursing care to patients and clients at mental health facilities, a geriatric/long‑term rehabilitation hospital, and public health clinics.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The examples of essential functions listed in this class specification are representative but not necessarily exhaustive or descriptive of any one position in this class. Management is not precluded from assigning other related functions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case‑by‑case basis.

Prepares and administers oral, intramuscular, and subcutaneous medications to include documenting patient education about medication, side effects, and patient responses.

Provides treatments including dressings, catheterization, nebulizer treatments and others as needed.

Observes patients' symptoms, behavior, and progress, and keeps clinical records.

Responds with Registered Nurses to emergencies involving inmates/patients.

Assists physicians and Registered Nurses as directed.

Takes and records temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, weight, pulse oximeter, and pain level.

May perform venipuncture if certified.

Assists in preparing and implementing individual patient care plans which may involve transcribing and carrying out doctors' orders.

Participates in team conferences regarding patient care and medical updates.

Participates in education programs in the Psychiatric Security Unit(s).

Assists in laboratory procedures.

Assists in patient education.

Maintains cleanliness of patient‑care areas.

Lifts and assists with lifting patients.

Maintains appropriate supply of medical items.

May assist patients in the discharge process.

Documents in the automated Medical Record, Administration Records (MAR, etc.), appropriately and completely, following procedure.

May apply restraints to contain patients.

May be responsible for follow‑up of patient referrals and treatment recommendations.

Performs administrative assignments such as filing, answering phones, typing and maintaining statistical logs for the unit.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Principles, methods, and procedures of nursing care

Techniques of administering medications and treatments

Common medical terminology, hospital/clinic procedures, and equipment

Psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient

Business office procedures

Computer software programs used to perform functions such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail and the scanning, imaging and processing of medical records

Methods and techniques used to preserve, secure, and maintain the confidentiality of medical records or personal or sensitive information of patients and clients

County Customer service objectives and strategies

Telephone, office, and online etiquette

Current technology and trends in the profession

Skills and Abilities to:

Employ standard and specialized hospital/clinic techniques, procedures and routines

Attend to the personal hygiene needs of patients

Perform emergency first aid

Perform all essential functions in a fully automated medical information environment

Follow verbally and written directions and complete records utilizing electronic and hard copy medical charting

Maintain patient confidentiality utilizing HIPAA compliance

Communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Establish effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives and the members of the public representing diverse cultures and backgrounds

Treat County employees, representatives of outside agencies, and members of the public with courtesy and respect

Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds, and function calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy

Assess the customer's immediate needs and ensure customer's receipt of needed services through personal service or making appropriate referral

Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations

Provide prompt, efficient and responsive service

Provides responsive, high quality service to County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up‑to‑date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner

Desirable Traits
Communicates Effectively, Customer Focused, Values and Respects Others, Drives to Excel, Teamwork and Collaboration, Continuous Learning, Demonstrates Ethical Behavior, and Supportive of Change.

Education and/or Experience
Education, training, and/or experience that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above.

Qualifying education/experience:

Completion of a recognized Vocational Nursing Program and continuing education

Possession of a current license to practice vocational nursing in the State of California is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Failure to maintain such license will be cause for dismissal.

Possession of a current American Heart Association (AHA) accredited CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) card is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Failure to maintain certification may be cause for dismissal.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS
Required licenses, certifications and registrations must be maintained throughout employment in this class.

Positions may involve necessary and timely transportation for field travel, requiring the ability to arrange transportation to different worksites, meetings, or field work.

License
Possession of a current license to practice vocational nursing in the State of California is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Certification/Registration
Possession of a current American Heart Association (AHA) accredited CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) card at the time of appointment. Possession of an Intravenous and Blood Withdrawal Certificate is desirable.

SPECIAL NOTES

Working Conditions The primary work environment is a locked detention facility. Incumbents may be subject to evening and weekend work. Incumbents may be exposed to infectious illnesses and to inmate patients whose behavior is unpredictable and occasionally violent and combative.

Essential Physical Characteristics
The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case‑by‑case basis.

Occasional: squatting. Frequent: sitting, walking, standing, neck and waist bending and twisting, climbing, repetitive use of hands, simple and power hand grasping, and fine hand manipulation, pushing/pulling of hand, and reaching above/below shoulder level. Incumbents must be able to lift up to 15 pounds and occasionally 50 pounds. Incumbents must use manual dexterity when giving successful injections and inoculations, initiating IVs, documenting all activities while using a computer and bar code reader, and using emergency equipment. Incumbents manipulate heavy and large jail keys when opening and closing heavy metal jail doors.

Background Investigation
Must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Felony convictions will be disqualifying. Misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency. Prior to appointment, candidates will be subject to a thorough background investigation which may include a psychological, truth verification or other examination or test.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD AND CLASS HISTORY

Incumbents appointed to permanent positions in this classification shall serve a probationary period of 6 months.

Sheriff's Detentions Licensed Vocational Nurse (Class No. 004626) Union Code: HS Variable Entry: Y

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