Medical Officer - Licensed Vocational Nurse​/Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic

Licensed Vocational Nurse

This position provides safe and effective medical care for all youth in custody. The LVN will practice under the direction/supervision of a Registered Nurse/Physician, providing support to the overall functioning of the medical department. The LVN will assist in the determination of predictable health care needs of youth in custody, by utilizing the Nursing Process which includes assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of care.

This individual will operate in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act, agency policies, procedures, standing orders, physician orders and the overall treatment plan. Specific duties will be assigned based on level of training, education, experience and licensure.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide nursing care with a focus on resident's needs, environmental and technical safety; utilizing a four step systemic process (Nursing Process) to deliver patient care. This includes assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Utilizes a problem solving approach as the basis for decision making in practice, including reporting relevant information to supervising Registered Nurse and/or Physician.
• Performs technical nursing skills, within the scope of practice for a LVN, and in accordance with agency policies and procedures for individual and/or multiple resident assignments. Performs diagnostic tests, administers medications, sets up equipment and applies therapeutic treatments.
• Documents relevant information regarding nursing care in patient records, charts and reports. Documents observations of residents signs, symptoms, test results, behaviors, and response to medications and treatments.
• Informs, explains and educates residents and family members/guardians regarding medications, relevant treatment information, and disease process. Provides pertinent health information, at an appropriate level, and includes meaningful literature to support understanding.
• Demonstrates behaviors that promote development of positive outcomes in relation to the practice of vocational nursing, and provides ethical nursing care in a confidential, caring, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner.
• Assigns specific tasks, activities and functions and maintains appropriate supervision of unlicensed personnel in a structured health care setting for residents with predictable health care needs in accordance with program design and structure.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Requirements:

• Minimum of two (2) years of licensed nursing experience. (Not including clinical hours required for education.)
• Licensed by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
• Valid Texas Driver's license.
• Current CPR certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of scope and standards of vocational nursing practice where applicable.
• Knowledge of Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Nurse Practice Act and nursing care standards of practice.
• Knowledge of applicable pharmacy rules and regulations.
• Understanding of Standard/Universal Precautions and infection control procedures for dealing with sharp instruments, blood and body fluids and communicable diseases.
• Knowledge and understanding of indications for treatments rendered including medications and the expected outcome, possible side effects and how to identify adverse reactions.
• Understanding of departmental and Agency Policies and Procedures including Standing Orders for care.
• Comprehension of how to use proper body mechanics to avoid injury to self, peers or residents.
• Maintains current licensure and continuing education requirements as established by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
• Abides by Texas Board of Nurses Professional Conduct rules.
• Demonstrates and follows the Nurse Practice Act.
• Abides by Harris County Code of…