Licensed Vocational Nurse

The Position

The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is accepting applications from Licensed Vocational Nurses who are interested in performing technical nursing duties. In an inpatient setting, under the supervision of registered professional nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses perform a wide range of patient care activities including general bedside nursing and patient hygiene, safety and comfort. They perform catheterizations, enemas, nasogastric tube insertions and irrigations;

take and record vital signs and chart observations. They care for tracheotomy, jejunostomy, colostomy, and chest tubes. Licensed Vocational Nurses sign out and are responsible for controlled drugs, including narcotics, and under direction, prepare and administer medication subcutaneously, intramuscularly or orally. In some assignments, they may also adjust the flow rates of intravenous solutions containing no medications. In an ambulatory care setting, Licensed Vocational Nurses perform general nursing care under the direction of a registered Nurse or a provider.

They prepare and administer medications including immunizations subcutaneously, intramuscularly, orally or topically; sign out and are responsible for controlled drugs including narcotics. They are responsible for applying dressing, compresses and soaks; taking and recording vital signs; documenting patient observations and nursing activities in patient records; and performing discharge duties

We are looking for someone who:

• Adapts easily to varied and changing priorities
• Has a strong attention to detail
• Exercises good judgment in the observation of medical and behavioral symptoms
• Works well as a team member with nursing, ancillary, and mental health professionals
• Communicates clearly, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrates professional behavior in interactions with patients, team members and providers
• Has strong knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology and abbreviations
• Has the ability to comprehend, execute and clarify written and verbal instructions
• Acknowledges and respects the County's diverse population/patients
• Maintains patient confidentially at all times
• Has the ability to accurately document using electronic medical records (EMR)

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Performing physical tasks using appropriate body mechanics and a reasonable degree of physical exertion
• Assisting patients with activities of daily living
• Maintaining a clean safe environment for the patient
• Monitoring and assisting in providing dietary requirements of patients
• Providing close observation of patients and accurately documenting these observations
• Reporting observations to the Provider, RN, team Leader, or Charge Nurse
• Transportation of patients both within the hospital and to appointments outside the hospital
• Administering medications
• Performing Basic Life Support (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
• Participating in Behavior Response when required and preventing injury to themselves or others by physically restraining patients
• Obtaining specimens
• Assisting the RN and the provider in identifying patient and family learning needs and implementing appropriate measures

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will have an opportunity to make a positive difference in patients' lives
• As an integrated system, Contra Costa County Health Services offers and presents multiple opportunities to grow professionally
• You may develop more knowledge and skills due to the different scenarios you will encounter and the education and training that will be provided
• You will be an integral part of a team to create optimal health for all
• There is a great retirement plan and health benefits for you and your family

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You may need to reprioritize your tasks based on the ongoing needs of your assignment
• You will need to adapt and adjust to the work environment
• You may care for patients whose behaviors can be challenging due to medical or mental health issues
• You may receive direction and communication from different staff members to process and prioritize daily assignments

Competencies

Required:

• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• E…