LVN Medication Nurse

LVN Medication Nurse

Bienvivir All-Inclusive Senior Health ("Bienvivir") is a community-based, patient-centered, comprehensive health care delivery system that advocates and promotes quality of life, optimum independence, dignity, and choices in a nurturing environment for frail seniors. Since 1987, Bienvivir has served the frail seniors of El Paso, Texas through the provision of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly ("PACE").

PACE is a unique managed care benefit for frail seniors (referred to as participants) age 55 and older who are certified by the state as needing nursing home level care and who reside in a PACE service area. PACE programs coordinate and provide comprehensive medical and support services so that participants can remain independent and stay in their homes for as long as safely possible.

The Medication Nurse works under the direct supervision of the Clinic Manager in the daily operation of the medical component of the Adult Day Care Center. Although the primary focus will be medication administration, the medication nurse will also be responsible for education and monitoring of the participant's health status in accordance with the plan of care developed by the Interdisciplinary Team as related to medications.

Responsibilities include administration of medication as per physician's orders, management of participant's medications, obtaining consents and coordinating, administering, documenting, and tracking all participant vaccines, monitoring and reporting vaccine data, coordinating with Human Resources and Infection Control department to administer employee vaccines and required PPD testing/reading, tracking, monitoring and coordinating application of diabetic monitoring devices, direct responsibility for ordering of all medications from Pharmacy, receiving medications from Pharmacy and coordinating medication pick up and deliveries, providing education and counseling to participants and/or caregivers for appropriate administration and monitoring of medications at home, receiving all medication refills, transcribing refill orders after review with PCP and ensuring medications are filled and sent out by the Pharmacy, maintaining various logs for Transportation, Pharmacy and Quality Improvement departments, monitoring emergency cart equipment daily, maintaining adequate supplies for medication preparation and administration, responsible for counting, logging and ensuring the destruction of all returned medications, conducting monthly medication reviews on assigned participants, cross trained to provide coverage to Consult and Treatment LVN, participating in daily IDT meetings as necessary, and performing other duties as assigned by the Clinic Manager.

Qualifications/requirements include a graduate of an accredited nursing program with a license to practice in the state of Texas as a Vocational Nurse, and one year of experience giving medications to a frail or elderly population preferred.

Knowledge/skills/abilities include knowledge of theory and practice, a strong knowledge base and keen understanding and appreciation of the elderly, the ability to present to the community the philosophy of community-based long-term care for the elderly, the skill to work collectively and communicate effectively with staff, participants, and family members, an adaptable individual with ability to work with the interdisciplinary team approach to care for the elderly, the ability to accept supervision in an appropriate manner, proficient computer skills, and bilingual.