Licensed Vocational Nurse III

Job Description:
Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Licensed Vocational Nurse III performs advanced vocational nursing work. Provides for the care, treatment, and general welfare of individuals residing at the State Hospital (SH) who have complex medical, mental health and/or behavioral health issues. Performs basic and advanced routine and non-routine nursing tasks to promote the health of the individuals within the assigned areas and assigned shift. Collects specimens for lab work and performs health screenings. Instructs direct support professionals and other staff on how to provide service and care that support the individual’s medical needs. Performs technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations. Keeps informed of and follows all agency, SH and unit policies and procedures. Provides direction and assists with on-the-job training to others such as newly hired LVNs and direct care staff. Provides on-the-job nursing instruction and training for new LVNs, within their scope of practice, as requested by RN Supervisor. Monitors, oversees the work of, and assigns work to, LVNs as needed. Evaluates nursing intervention outcomes and provides input to other members of the healthcare team. Assists RNs with implementation of protocols, procedures and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals. Works under the limited supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be requested to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Administers medications and treatments.

Makes rounds as needed and works in other locations at the SH as needed.

Demonstrates competency in performing complex technical nursing tasks and procedures in accordance with HHSC, SH and state regulations.

Performs complex and technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations such as tracheostomy care, gastrostomy/jejunostomy care, wound care, breathing treatments. Collects specimens for laboratory examination and conducts appropriate screening tests when requested by lab personnel.

Monitors individuals’ weight, diet, mealtimes, and vital signs. Monitors individuals’ health status after treatments and procedures. Monitors for signs and symptoms of illness. Evaluates nursing intervention outcomes and provides input to other members of the healthcare team. Instructs direct support professionals on how to monitor individuals after a treatment or procedure using instruction sheets such as that used for post-sedation monitoring of signs and symptoms.

Timely and accurately documents and reports pertinent treatments and observations in the individual’s medical record (electronic health record or paper chart) in accordance with SH procedures and protocols. Recognize symptoms of illness and reports accurately to RN and/or Primary Care Provider.

Fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and integration. Communicates pertinent information orally and in writing to other team members, such as the RN Case Manager, in order to ensure the treatment team has the best information possible to make decisions. Collects data for RN/ Primary Care Provider.

Leads, monitors, and oversees others who are monitoring individuals before, during, and after treatments and procedures are completed. Evaluates nursing intervention outcomes and confers with other health care members as necessary.

Trains/instructs new LVN staff to perform nursing functions at the SH, including acclimating them to the individuals, their needs and preferences. Oversees and monitors the work of LVNs as assigned and provides feedback to the supervisor. Assists the new LVN to complete the “on the job training” checklist, observes and gives feedback as the new LVN performs daily assignments, plans daily learning experiences for new LVN, meets with the new LVN’s manager at the end of the orientation to discuss progress made, and is a continued resource for the new LVN.

Assists RNs with implementation of protocols, procedures, and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals. Assists the Infection Control nurse by implementing measures that prevent the spread of disease, assists the QA Nurse in developing and implementing quality assurance programs, and assists in the implementation of therapeutic nursing programs. Participates in facility Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement initiatives. Participates in facility committees as requested on a regular basis.

Responds to emergency situations to ensure safety of individuals including de-escalation procedures. Follows safety and infection control procedures of the SH. Provides educational and safety training to SH staff upon request.
Performs other duties as assigned such as assisting the infection control nurse, medication variance, scheduling.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of nursing care standards, nursing procedures and techniques and of the principles and processes used in providing appropriate patient care.
Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., CPR and TIPS, and ability to assess and care for patients and/or staff members in emergency situations.
Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with mental health issues rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State hospitals or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.

Skills in using reasoning to identify problems and in considering appropriate resolution of situations.
Skill in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.
Skill in the care and treatment of patients.

Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment; and to plan, assign, and/or oversee the work of others.
Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to provide patient care to a wide variety of individuals with complex medical, mental health and/or behavioral health issues.
Ability to prepare and maintain records and to use an electronic health record system.
Ability to communicate effectively and to instruct others.
Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

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