Lic Vocational Nurse

Description

We are looking for a skilled LVN to become a part of our facility’s compassionate care-giving team. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all aspects of nursing responsibilities during each shift, from processing patients in and out to delegating nursing rounds and drug administration. We’re looking for a highly competent and well-organized professional who values safety, security and patient wellness above all else. We focus on providing the best care possible while ensuring patient satisfaction in every interaction. The LVN is responsible for making sure those values are reflected in his or her staff at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Works under direct supervision using the state-specific Nurse Practice Act, Standards, Policies and Procedures, and nursing judgment.
• Delivers nursing care to patients/residents requiring long-term or rehabilitative care.
• Collects patient/resident data, makes observations and reports pertinent information related to the care of the patient/resident.
• According to state-specific regulations, implements the patient/resident plan of care and evaluates the patient/resident response.
• In accordance with state-specific regulations, directs and supervises care given by other nursing personnel in selected situations.
• Maintains knowledge of necessary documentation requirements.
• Maintains knowledge of equipment set-up, maintenance and use, i.e., monitors, infusion devices, drain devices, etc.
• Maintains confidentiality and patient/resident rights, regarding all patient personnel information.
• Provides patient/resident/family/caregiver education as directed.
• Conducts self in a professional manner in compliance with unit and facility policies.
• Works rotating shifts, holidays and weekends as scheduled.
• Initiates emergency support measures (i.e., CPR, protects patients from injury).
• Participates in the identification of staff educational needs.
• Serves as a preceptor, as delegated, for new staff
• Maintains patient care supplies, equipment and environment.
• Participates in the development of unit objectives.
• Provides input in the formulation and evaluation of standards. of care.
• Admission and routine patient observations/transfer notes are complete and accurately reflect the patients/residents status.
• Documentation of observations is complete and reflects knowledge of unit documentation policies and procedures.
• Nursing history is present in the medical record for all patients/residents.
• Changes in patient's/resident's physical/psychological condition (i.e., changes in lab data, vital signs, mental status) are reported appropriately.
• Observations related to the effectiveness of nursing interventions, medications. etc., are reported as appropriate and documented in the progress notes.
• Care Plans:
• Evaluation of care plan is noted monthly or as indicated,
• Contributions to care plan revision are made as indicated by the patient's status.
• Patient/Resident is approached in a kind, gentle and friendly manner. Respect for the patient's/resident's dignity and privacy is consistently provided.
• Interventions are performed in a timely manner. Explanations for delays in answers/ responses are provided.
• Independence by the patient/resident in activities of daily living is encouraged to the fullest extent possible.
• Treatments are completed as indicated.
• Safety concerns are identified and appropriate actions are taken to maintain a safe
• environment.
• Side rails and height of bed are adjusted.
• Patient/resident call light and equipment is within reach.
• Restraints, when used, are maintained properly.
• Rooms are neat and orderly.
• Patient identification bands and allergy bands (if applicable) are present.
• Functional assignments are completed.
• Emergency situations are recognized and appropriate action is instituted.
• All emergency equipment can be readily located and operated (emergency oxygen supply, drug box, fire extinguishers, etc.).
• Patient/Resident/Family teaching is conducted according to the nursing care plan.
• Explanations are given to the patient prior to interventions.
• Discharge/death summaries are complete and accurate.
• Transfer forms are complete and accurate.
• Active participation in patient/resident care management is evident.
• Facility Standards of Practice Manual or reference materials are utilized as needed.
• Procedures are performed according to method outlined in procedure manual.
• Body substance precautions and other appropriate infection control practices are utilized with all nursing interventions.
• Safety guidelines established by the facility (i.e. proper needle disposal) are followed.
• The patient's/resident's full name and room number are present on all chart forms. Allergies are noted on chart cover.
• Only approved abbreviations are utilized.
• Vital signs are properly and timely recorded
• I&O summaries are recorded and added correctly.
• Progress notes are timed, dated and signed with full signature and title.
• Unit flow sheets are completed properly (i.e., wound care records, treatment records, weight sheets, etc.).
• Adheres to state-specific Nurse Practice Act for administration of medication and parenteral therapy.
• Dates that medications are started or discontinued are documented.
• Medications are charted correctly with name, dose, route, site, time, and initials of nurse administering.
• Pulse and blood pressure are obtained and recorded when appropriate.
• Medications not given are circled, reason noted and physician notified if applicable.
• Appropriate notes are written for medications not given and actions taken.
• Name and title of nurse administering medication are documented,
• Patient's/resident's medication record is labeled with the name, room number, date, and allergies.
• The procedure for administration and counting of narcotics is followed,
• All parenteral fluids, including additives, are charted with time and date started, time infusion completed, site of infusion and signature of nurse.
• Supplies are used appropriately.
• Charge stickers (or charge system) are utilized appropriately.
• Minimal supplies are stored in the patient's/resident's room,
• Discharge medications are returned to the pharmacy or destroyed in a timely manner.
• Floor-stock medications are charged and re-stocked.

PM21

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential 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 to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or relevant qualification.

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved LVN program.
• Possession of a current valid Texas driver’s license or regular means of transportation to and from work.
• One (1) year of experience as a nursing assistant in a skilled rehabilitation, skilled nursing or Long-Term Care (LTC) environment preferred.
• Experience with electronic medical records preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be capable of operating a personal computer to enter resident data as required by regulation and facility policy.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to communicate orally and in written form effectively with all levels of employees, patients, families, and vendors.
• Ability to present information in one-on-one and small group situations to employees, patients, families, and vendors.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Good understanding of medical and pharmacological terminology.
• Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using weight measurement, volume, and distance.
• Excellent problem solving/analysis/judgment skills and high level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Builds and maintains cooperative working relationships
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, law enforcement, other agencies, and the public.
• Resourceful, dependable and accountable
• Able to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a current and active license to practice as a LVN in this state.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

• Work requires physical activity including extended periods of walking and standing with occasional climbing, reaching, carrying, balancing, kneeling, crouching and bending.
• Must have the ability to frequently lift and/or carry equipment, files, and other materials weighing up to 50 pounds as well as push/pull up to 50 pounds of force with grip strength of 65 pounds.
• Ability to transfer, and reposition a resident to or from a bed, wheelchair, and use a mechanical lift, toilet, tub, shower, occasionally varying degrees of pushing, pulling and lifting due to the differences in resident weights.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Must be able to continuously perform simple manipulative dexterity tasks such as the equipment listed above as well as safety pin buckles and tie strings. Occasionally perform difficult manipulative tasks.
• Must be able to detect the smell of smoke, spoiled food, soiled linen, etc.
• The employee must be able to continuously hear normal sounds and voice patterns with some background noise. Must have adequate verbal instructions. Must be able to hear audible emergency signals, alarms, call, light indicators and to be able to answer the phone.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Must be able to continuously notice a change in the resident (breathing, color, skin breakdown, etc.) Ability to focus and read a thermometer.
• Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance and color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed indoors in a health care facility.
• Work is performed during assigned shift; however, hours will occasionally include varied days, hours, holidays, weekends, and overtime as needed.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but can occasionally be loud. Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Incumbents in this position may be exposed to infectious/communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, and potential risk of injury from distraught individuals.
• Frequent exposure to chemical compounds of medication and treatments.
• Frequent exposure to microbial bacteria and other infectious agents inherent to care of ill residents.
• Continuous exposure to latex, Tyvex, plastic and/or materials which are used for personal protective equipment.
• Stress of working with sick residents and their families, combined with the resident who may be confused, irrational, highly agitate mood swings. (Frequently)
• Subject to involvement with personnel, visitors, state and federal agency personnel and residents.

Summit LTC is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.