Lvn - Crisis Care

Position: LVN - CRISIS CARE
GENERAL SUMMARY

Extended Observation Unit (EOU) Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are responsible for triaging MEDCOM phone calls and assuring patients are appropriate for the unit and coordinating with leadership. The LVN provides professional nursing services for consumers, assists with laboratory, EKGs and other medical treatments, psychosocial, and assists the Registered Nurse (RN) in creating assignments for unlicensed staff. LVN's at the Josephine Recovery Center (JRC) are responsible for providing professional nursing services for consumers, including medication administration and injections.

The LVN will assists the RN in making assignments to unlicensed staff. Both EOU and JRC Licensed Vocational Nurses maintain pharmaceutical oversight of medication samples, and complete associated documentation for the consumer and program, and must be capable of providing psychiatric emergency services. New nurses will be assigned a home station where the majority of their time will be spent.

However, they will be cross trained to float between the 24/7 operation sites to include Detox, Crisis Center and the Crisis Step Down Unit JRC. The Crisis EOU and JRC are 24/7 facilities requiring 24/7 nursing coverage.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

* Administers emergency medications on combative consumers using Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) techniques.

* Administers injections, draws labs, and completes applications for clients as needed.

* Aids in the Utilization Management function as needed by collecting, reviewing, and authorizing Medicaid and non-Medicaid covered emergency Mental Health hospitalization for consumers throughout the Center's system.

* Assists the RN in making assignments to unlicensed observation staff of various skill levels, instructing and supervising staff as needed.

* Assists with laboratory collection, EKGs, and other medical treatments/interventions and documenting initial health history on new patients.

* Collaborates and communicates with law enforcement, outpatient clinic, hospitals, and other providers to assure appropriate consumer care.

* Collaborates with Metropolitan Area hospitals for admission or discharges, as needed.

* Collaborates with SAPD, Bexar County Courthouse, BCSO, and other Law Enforcement agencies to assure appropriate consumer care.

* Completes daily reports containing status of current consumers on unit to Crisis Providers.

* Completes patient monitoring and documents findings every 2 hours (required).

* Conforms to the Texas Nurse II Practice Act and the Board's rules and regulations as well as all Federal, State, and local laws, rules, or regulations affecting the LVN's current area of nursing practice.

* Contacts all Behavioral Health (BH) medical facilities to arrange placement for OPC, ED, medical clearance.

* Coordinates medication distribution with the Center's pharmacy contract; ensures medications, controlled substances and consumer medications are appropriately stocked and maintained.

* Coordinates with case managers to create consumer plan of care as needed.

* Coordinates with patient clinics for admission to the EOU or JRC.

* Educates consumers on health-related topics and responds to questions or concerns.

* Examines patients and prepares them for visit with prescriber as needed.

* Maintains a 24-hour line of sight monitoring.

* Maintains pharmaceutical oversight of medication samples for specified units participating in the program through assigned unit level staff.

* Monitoring of OOWS/CIWA Consumers for Withdraw Symptoms.

* Obtains and transcribes verbal orders to administer medication as dictated by Providers.

* Obtains collateral from outpatient clinics prior to admission.

* Participates in multi-disciplinary quality assurance program to…