Licensed Vocational Nurse (Sacramento

POSITION TITLE: Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Director of Nursing

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides individualized skill-based technical patient care. Patient care is based on the plan of care established by the Registered Nurse and treatment team. The LVN works as a member of the team to meet goals focused on the patient s mental health recovery. The LVN primarily administers medications to patients as prescribed by the psychiatric provider.

Medication education includes one-on-one and group formats discussing the rationale for the medication, dose, side effects, and any related educational materials. The role requires flexibility and efficiency under multiple demands and the ability to adjust priorities to meet nursing/staffing needs of the department/unit. Teamwork is essential with co-workers, physicians, patients/families, visitors, and the public. The LVN maintains patient confidentiality and a high degree of accuracy in procedures, treating all patients and colleagues with dignity and respect.

May have access to or be required to distribute drugs, needles or syringes from storage locations to/within patient care areas or treatment carts as defined by hospital policy/procedure.

• Treatment Planning:
  Participate in treatment planning by identifying patients  problems, needs, and strengths; suggesting modifications to the treatment plan based on observations of patients  behavior; providing input into discharge planning.
• Patient Care:
  Implement patients  treatment plans by monitoring progress; communicating information regarding patients  behavior to other treatment team members; maintaining communication with patients, family members, and referral sources; co-facilitating didactic, educational, and community groups; encouraging and facilitating patients  participation in therapeutic activities; supervising patients to ensure safety and involvement in treatment; providing input during shift reports.
• Patient Assessment, Medication and Nutrition:
  Administers medications prescribed by physician. Under supervision of RN, complete nursing assessments and update treatment plans. Assists Dietary Staff in identifying patients on special diets and ensuring compliance with dietary orders. Provides general nursing care assistance as assigned and supervised by charge nurse.
• Patient Attendant:
  Accompany and transport patients; orient new patients to unit, program, and milieu; assist patients in activities of daily living when congruent with the treatment plan and needs; maintain a safe, orderly, and therapeutic environment; participate in maintaining the therapeutic milieu including facilitation of community meetings.
• Patient Records:
  Maintain patient, program, and department documentation; carry out clerical and administrative tasks to support patient care and department operations.
• Training
  
  Activities:
  
  Complete orientation and competency assessments; participate in activities to enhance professional growth and development.
• Other Duties:
  Uphold the organization s ethics and customer service standards; perform related duties as requested.

• High school, GED, or equivalent required
• Current California State license as a Vocational Nurse
• Current CPR certification (or obtained within 30 days of hire)
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification (or obtained within 30 days of hire)

• High school level reading and writing skills; legible handwriting
• Familiarity with medical and psychological terminology and human behavior principles preferred
• Basic knowledge of detoxification assessment and treatment procedures
• Familiarity with addiction treatment concepts, 12-step treatment, and cognitive aspects of addiction treatment
• Ability to identify signs of withdrawal from major substance classes and apply this in patient care. If not trained upon hire, ability to learn via orientation and training program.

• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
• Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with people from diverse backgrounds
• Active role in teaching or assisting with activities of daily…