LVN II - Antelope Valley

About City of Hope

City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution with over 6,000 employees, is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases and guided by a compassionate, patient-centered philosophy.

Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Duarte, California, City of Hope is a remarkable non-profit institution, where compassion and advanced care go hand-in-hand with excellence in clinical and scientific research. City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s 20 leading cancer centers that develops and institutes standards of care for cancer treatment.

Position Summary:

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position. Job duties may vary depending on facility.

Under the direction of a licensed provider or Registered Nurse (RN), the LVN assists in the evaluation of nursing care by collecting subjective and objective data and recognition of problems or abnormal conditions specific to patients of all ages. Monitors medical condition of patients and reports changes to appropriate health care team member. The duties may vary from setting to setting, depending on the size, location, and type. Applies good interpersonal and communication process utilizing verbal and non-verbal skills to achieve organizational service goals of customer satisfaction and a positive work environment.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Will provide direct patient care services as determined by the patient’s plan of care under supervision of provider and licensed support staff
• Prepares for patient appointments by reviewing and updating patient records prior to appointment. This includes checking for updates of recent test results, lab results and correspondence. Also reviews patient record (EHR) to determine needed services and whether referrals are in process or have been completed since last visit.
• Provides initial medical screening: Greets patients and directs to appropriate exam / procedure room. Obtains weight, height, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, pain level, chief complaint, O2 saturation (if indicated) and basic medical history; accurately documents in medical chart according to generally accepted medical standards.
• Appropriately prepares patient for visit and alerts physician when patient is ready to be seen. When provider is unavailable, keeps the patient updated on the status of their appointment and when necessary assists the patient in re-scheduling or scheduling follow-up. Provides information to patient as to general clinic policies, patients’ rights and responsibilities as needed.
• Performs general clerical duties in support of health care team according to the needs of the clinic and as directed by provider(s) and nursing staff. These include but are not limited to answering phones, photocopies, faxing, typing, completing forms, etc. Works with patient scheduling system to assist Patient Scheduling/Registration staff with the orderly and efficient patient flow.
• Assists provider or nurse upon request during examination / procedure of patient and according to generally accepted medical standards. Practices universal precautions with respect to established safety protocols. Facilitates communication between the provider(s) and patient as needed, including translation as appropriate.
• Provides administrative back-up support to the health care team as assigned and as necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the clinic. Accepts floating assignments to other areas of Clinical as needed and assigned.
• Maintains work station in accordance with protecting PHI. Performs routine quality check of equipment and promptly reports damaged or missing equipment from exam/procedure rooms.
• Ensures clinical areas are organized with respect of standards in safety and quality patient care. Works collaboratively with health care team and other departments in solutions-oriented problem solving with the goal of providing safe quality patient care.
• Maintains exam / procedure rooms according to protocols: Cleans rooms between patient exams to ensure patients' comfort and compliance with infection control standards; ensures all necessary supplies are stocked. Promptly reports when supplies are low and works with nursing staff to ensure timely reordering is completed.
• Administers medication via the following routes: oral, intradermal, subcutaneous, sublingual, intramuscular, instillation, suppository, topical, and irrigation.
• Administer immunizations understanding order from provider.
• CVAD care and blood withdrawal and starts, hangs, monitors and discontinues blood products and/or I.V. fluids. ( LVNs certified in intravenous therapy only)
• Performs basic nursing procedures including thermal applications, non-sterile soaks and applications of simple dressing, perineal care and urine tests.
• Perform part of the triage process that includes interview, observation, the collection of subjective and objective data, and the recognition of problems or abnormal conditions specific to the patient.
• Utilizes time in a constructive and efficient manner by assisting in such duties as restocking rooms/shelves/trays, checking supplies and ensuring that all areas, exam / procedure rooms are clean and orderly.
• Maintains compliance with manufacture guidelines to include, but not limited to disinfectant/sterilization and safe handling of instruments/equipment
• For safety and security reasons, is responsible for knowing the whereabouts of a patient any time the patient is in clinical areas. In the event a patient or clinic emergency, may be called to activate the proper ‘code’, assisting provider(s) and clinical staff with the appropriate emergency response. In the event of evacuation, will assist in the evacuating of patients being seen by her/his provider(s) as scheduled.
• Annually demonstrates competence in accordance with required functions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Performs all duties in support of successful EHR implementation.
• Performs additional duties within their scope of practice/training, as assigned by health care team and in support of quality assurance and improvement.
• Adherence to identified nursing standards of practice.
• Must demonstrate competence in medication administration and knowledge prior to administering medications.
• Per-certifies surgical and other procedures, if appropriate.
• Receives verbal, telephone and written orders and enters them into the EHR at the time order is received.
• Performs peripheral blood drawing (phlebotomy).
• Directs lab/test results to provider for review.
• Performs patient education when appropriate, provides health care instructions and documents in the HER.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reviewing current literature, attending in-service meetings, and workshops.

Follows established City of Hope and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan. Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.