Sheriff's Detentions Licensed Vocational Nurse; LVN

SHERIFF'S DETENTIONS LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

Class Title SHERIFF'S DETENTIONS LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, provides nursing care for the medical and psychiatric needs of incarcerated patients within a detention facility, and performs related work. Positions in this class are found in the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's Detentions Licensed Vocational Nurses provide nursing care to patients in detention facilities, which include clinics, medical and psychiatric housing units, and general housing units.

Essential functions performed in the general housing units include medication, administration, lab tests, diagnostic testing, and treatments. This class differs from Licensed Vocational Nurse in that the latter is found in the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and provides skilled nursing care to patients and clients at mental health facilities, a geriatric/long‑term rehabilitation hospital, and public health clinics.

The examples of essential functions listed in this class specification are representative but not necessarily exhaustive or descriptive of any one position in this class. Management is not precluded from assigning other related functions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case‑by‑case basis.

• Prepares and administers oral, intramuscular, and subcutaneous medications to include documenting patient education about medication, side effects, and patient responses.
• Provides treatments including dressings, catheterization, nebulizer treatments and others as needed.
• Observes patients' symptoms, behavior, and progress, and keeps clinical records.
• Responds with Registered Nurses to emergencies involving inmates/patients.
• Assists physicians and Registered Nurses as directed.
• Takes and records temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, weight, pulse oximeter, and pain level.
• May perform venipuncture if certified.
• Assists in preparing and implementing individual patient care plans which may involve transcribing and carrying out doctors' orders.
• Participates in team conferences regarding patient care and medical updates.
• Participates in education programs in the Psychiatric Security Unit(s).
• Assists in laboratory procedures.
• Assists in patient education.
• Maintains cleanliness of patient‑care areas.
• Lifts and assists with lifting patients.
• Maintains appropriate supply of medical items.
• May assist patients in the discharge process.
• Documents in the automated Medical Record, Administration Records (MAR, etc.), appropriately and completely, following procedure.
• May apply restraints to contain patients.
• May be responsible for follow‑up of patient referrals and treatment recommendations.
• Performs administrative assignments such as filing, answering phones, typing and maintaining statistical logs for the unit.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, and procedures of nursing care
• Techniques of administering medications and treatments
• Common medical terminology, hospital/clinic procedures, and equipment
• Psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient
• Business office procedures
• Computer software programs used to perform functions such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail and the scanning, imaging and processing of medical records
• Methods and techniques used to preserve, secure, and maintain the confidentiality of medical records or personal or sensitive information of patients and clients
• County Customer service objectives and strategies
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette
• Current technology and trends in the profession

Skills and Abilities to:

• Employ standard and specialized hospital/clinic techniques, procedures and routines
• Attend to the personal hygiene needs of patients
• Perform emergency first aid
• Perform all essential functions in a fully automated medical information environment
• Follow verbally and written directions and complete records utilizing electronic and hard copy medical charting
• Maintain patient confidentiality utilizing…