LPN/LVN PRN

UHS

About The Position

The LVN/LPN/LPT 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.

Requirements

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.
Currently licensed to practice by the California State Board of Nursing.
CPR certification and successful completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training.
Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures is essential.
Knowledge of all code procedures.
Knowledge of Mental Health Laws and Child Abuse/Neglect/Maltreatment laws, and the DHS provider agreement as applicable.
Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.
Ability to effectively problem-solve.
Ability to work as a team player.
Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience, and dedication.
Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups to which assigned (ranging from adolescents to geriatrics).
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
The ability to competently and fully perform CPI techniques is an essential position function.
Must be able to hear sufficiently, with or without correction, to competently perform all essential job functions.
Ability to sit and stand (one-third of the shift) and walk (two-thirds of the shift).
Ability to reach above, at or below waist height, kneel, bend, stoop, turn and twist (occasionally up to frequently)
Ability to see well enough to read charts, treatment plans and typewritten materials.
Ability to hear well enough to detect noises on the unit and have the ability to discern odors.
Ability to frequently lift and carry 10 lbs.; occasionally 20-50 lbs.
Ability to frequently push/pull wheeled carts weighing 100 lbs.
Ability to manipulate small and large tools (electric thermometer, telephone, wheelchair, blood pressure cuffs, walkers, paper punch, addressograph, restraints, staplers, EKG machine, copy machine, etc.).
Ability to spend 95% of the work day inside in temperatures varying from 60°-90° F., where noise levels range from low to high and the ability to spend 5% of the work day outside in temperatures varying from 30°-110° F.
Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste.
Ability to work in an environment where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning, where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present and where dust, mist and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks.
Ability to work at a rapid pace and perform a variety of repetitive duties.
Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids.
Must be available to work every other Saturday and Sunday, as required.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of three (3) years experience in a psychiatric health-care facility, preferred.

Responsibilities

Assists in the delivery of patient care in an acute psychiatric setting for patients experiencing a wide rage 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 used, has patient assessed by a Charge/Staff Nurse and ensures that all required documentation is completed.
Regularly reviews work in progress, ensuring that all physician and medication orders are carried out and recorded.
Monitors patient for adverse drug reactions and reports any adverse drug reactions immediately to the Charge Nurse, physician or pharmacist.
Ensures that medication consents are obtained and signed prior to administering psychotropic medications.
Informs Charge Nurse when patient refuses medication.
Practices the “5 Rights” of medication administration. Knows side effects, normal dosage, contraindications of all medications given.
Has no more than four (4) medication errors per calendar year.
Ensures that physician orders are affected within 30 minutes and transcribed within one hour.
Ensures that lab results and other test results are posted upon receipt.
Communicates essential information to other team members; exchanges relevant information at change of shift report.
Provides direction and orients new staff, demonstrating a thorough knowledge and adherence to hospital policy and procedures.
Is proficient in special procedures including, but not limited to glucometer, 02 Administration and calculation of insulin dosage.
Completes charting on all assigned patients in progress notes and all pertinent graphics. Charting reflects patient’s problem, interventions used and evaluation of outcome.
Is self-directed, recognizes what needs to be done and takes action; works well with direction.
Uses good judgment and needs minimal supervision, but able to recognize when needs to confer with Charge/Staff Nurse or Nursing Supervisor prior to making decisions; makes decisions that maintain hospital policy.
Ensures Patients Rights and Confidentiality.
Demonstrate appropriate therapeutic boundaries. Consistently follow established procedures.