LVN, Healthcare Nursing

Responsibilities

The LVN administers nursing care to designated patients under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse. Performs a variety of direct and indirect patient care duties.

Education: Graduate from an accredited Vocational School of Nursing or Psychiatric Technician program required;
Current licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Psychiatric Technician with the State of California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

Preferred Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a psychiatric health‑care facility, preferred.

Licensure: Currently licensed to practice by the California State Board of Nursing.

Additional Requirements:

CPR certification and successful completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training. CPI Training may be obtained during new hire orientation.

Essential Job Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the primary functions.

• Assists in the delivery of patient care in an acute psychiatric setting for patients experiencing a wide range of psychiatric conditions.
• Provides nursing care, within the scope of practice, to meet the unique needs of each patient.
• Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse by collecting data related to the patient’s condition.
• Reports data findings related patient’s condition to the Charge Nurse.
• Assists the Registered Nurse in assessing for pain, utilizes pain scale and documents accordingly.
• Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse to organize and deliver patient care, and to supervise staff.
• Documents patient activity and behavior in an accurate, timely and legible manner.
• Recognizes when patient is in need of 1:1 intervention and interacts therapeutically. Informs Charge/Staff Nurse of significant developments and documents in progress note.
• Provides 1:1 intervention as directed. Reports significant developments to Charge/Staff Nurse.
• Assists the Charge/Staff Nurse in assessing the patient’s response to interventions;
  Communicates these findings to other team members.
• Responds to patient in manner that takes into account patient’s diagnosis, strengths, weaknesses, and current level of functioning.
• Transcribes and administers medications and treatments accurately. Documents correctly and legibly on medication record.
• Initiates infection control form and makes addition to treatment plan when medications ordered indicate a medical problem.
• Demonstrates responsibility for the proper safekeeping, monitoring, and accurate recording of all controlled medications kept on the unit.
• Follows safety procedures. Secures contraband.
• Keeps Charge/Staff Nurse informed of events that may change staffing needs such as: admissions, discharges, transfers and patients in crisis.
• Provides education to patients based upon learning needs, Documents education about medications, disease management and coping mechanisms.
• Notifies Charge/Staff Nurse of patients with potential risk of injury due to falls or self‑destructive or assaultive behavior; implements Fall Precautions. Communicates the potential risk of injury to others.
• Demonstrates effective management of assaultive behavior, use of Seclusion and/or Quiet Time.
• Demonstrates utilization of most facilitative measure prior to Seclusion and Restraint: 1:1, diversional activities, groups, PRN medications, peer support, and/or decreases stimulation.
• Demonstrates use of application of restraints; monitors patients in restraints; provides fluids, food, ROM and bathroom. Assesses and assists with discontinuation criteria.
• Demonstrates competence in CPI:
  Personal Defense Releases, Blocks, Restraint Techniques, and Escort Techniques.
• Demonstrates competence in Verbal De‑Escalation skills.
• Utilizes appropriate observation level for patient: Q15 minute checks, Q5 minute checks, line of sight visual observation, and 1:1 observation.
• When seclusion and/or restraints are…