LVN

Licensed Vocational Nurse 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. Primary Criteria/Responsibilities: 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.