Licensed Vocational Nurse II

Job Description:
All applicants must be at least 21 years of age to be considered for a role in direct care at Waco Center for Youth.

This position is available for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts on multiple units.

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. The HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals located throughout the state and one youth residential psychiatric center in Waco. The HSCS is a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospitals provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

Performs highly complex vocational nursing work. Provides for the care, treatment, and general welfare of individuals residing at the State Hospital (SH) who have complex mental health, behavioral, and medical diagnosis. Performs basic and complex 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 psychiatric nursing assistants and other staff on how to provide service and care that support the individual’s needs. Performs technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations. Keeps informed of and follows all agency, SH, and hospital policies and procedures. Provides direction and assists with on-the-job training to others such as newly hired LVNs and direct care staff. Assists Registered Nurses (RNs) with implementation of protocols, procedures, and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals. Works under general supervision of an RN with moderate 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.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights, and/or weekends. Essential Job Functions:
• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required 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 orally, rectally, internally, or by injection. Assists other medical staff, such as Registered Nurses (RNs), Physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants, in examining and caring for patients.? Makes rounds as needed and works in other locations at the hospital as needed. Demonstrates competency in performing complex technical nursing tasks and procedures in accordance with HHSC, hospital and state regulations. Trains/instructs new LVN staff to perform nursing functions at the hospital, including acclimating them to the individuals, and describing their needs and preferences.
• Performs complex and technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations such as wound care, breathing treatments. Collects specimens for laboratory examination and conducts appropriate screening tests when requested by lab personnel.
• Monitors individuals’ weight, diet, meals, and vital signs.? Monitors individuals’ health status after medication administration, treatments and procedures.? Instructs psychiatric nursing assistants on how to monitor individuals after a treatment or procedure.
• 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 hospital 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, in order to ensure the treatment team has the best information possible to make decisions.
• Serves as a resource/mentor for new LVNs.? Assists the RN Supervisor with on-the-job nursing instruction and training of other new LVNs.
• 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 in developing and implementing quality assurance programs, and assists in the implementation of therapeutic nursing programs.? Collects data for RN/Primary Care Provider.
• Provides information and education to individuals, in accordance with their recovery plan, when performing procedures and treatments such as explaining the name and purpose of a particular medication and explaining why the individuals is taking the medication.
• Ensures that supplies are available, in advance, to provide the required procedure or treatment.? Takes inventory and ensures the unit is properly stocked.? Orders supplies through appropriate channels when they are needed.
• Responds to emergency situations to ensure safety of individuals. Follows safety and infection control procedures of the hospital.
• 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. 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 ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations.
• Skill 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 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 once trained.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to instruct others.
• Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members.
• Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and TIPS.

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