LVN Licensed Vocational Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : $30-$35

Colusa Medical Center, provides both inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency services, to the surrounding community bringing exceptional healthcare and service to our community.

POSITION SUMMARY

Using independent and interdependent judgment, the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) maintains the delivery of quality care by assuring the nursing care plan is followed. In collaboration with the physician, the LVN assures implementation of the assessment plan, evaluation, and follows up of the plan of care for the patient population.

Education and / or Experience :

• A valid temporary or permanent CA State Practical / Vocational Nurse License.
• CPR certification required.
• ACLS certification required

Experience Required :

Duties and Responsibilities(include, but are not limited to the following) :

RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PATIENT

A. Participates in an on-going systematic assessment of the physical, emotional, social, educational, and functional needs of the patient / family through interview, observation, and physical examination.

1. Provides plans, coordinates or manages nursing care, nursing services, and health education to patients / residents.

B. Interprets assessment data and information to develop a nursing care plan which contains problem identification, nursing diagnosis, nursing orders, approaches, interventions, short / long term goals, and discharge planning.

1. Develops nursing care plan utilizing nursing diagnosis

2. Assesses safety and fall risk levels for patients

C. Assures that medical orders are transcribed and processed accurately, and integrates the medical care plan into the provision of nursing care.

D. Assures that medication is correct and according to the established nursing policies and procedures.

1. Looks up unfamiliar medications

2. Processes medication orders

3. Administers medications as ordered

4. Evaluates effectiveness of PRN medications

5. Verbalizes process for self-administered medications

E. Provides for personal and environmental safety in accordance with hospital and nursing policies and procedures

F. Demonstrates skills in handling emergency and life-threatening situations

1. Locates and uses crash cart items

2. Calls Code Blue and Medical Emergency

3. Initiates CPR

4. Follows P&P and POLST

G. Assures that documents in the medical record are complete, factual, accurate and timely.

1. Documents materials and equipment used.

2. Verbalizes method to noting orders.

3. Documents discharge in chart.

4. Initiates and updates care plan as appropriate.

5. Provides discharge instructions.

6. Completes interagency transfer form.

H. Provides nursing care to meet patient needs

1. Performs a complete head-to-toe assessment of each assigned patient per shift using proper documentation tools.

2. Acts promptly on changes in patient condition, utilizing SBAR method

3. Reviews lab and test results, notifying physician of abnormal and critical results

4. Performs wound care in accordance with policy, utilizing proper documentation tools.

5. Performs basic ventilator management and trouble-shooting.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO UNIT STAFF

A. Provides direction and leadership in patient care to assigned personnel.

1. Acts as a team leader and provides guidance to unlicensed personnel.

2. Makes assignments for team.

B. Prioritizes activities and plans for effective use of time for patient needs.

C. Communicates the plan of nursing care for each patient through reports, conferences, rounds, and patient care records.

1. Shift to shift report and shift huddle with aides

2. Delegates tasks to aides; monitors to make sure delegated tasks are completed appropriately.

D. Demonstrates responsibility for the teaching of nursing assistants in areas of new techniques, policies and procedures.

1. Preceptor

E. Participates in the quality improvement activities of nursing.

1. Attends appropriate meetings.

F. Communicates identified learning needs of self and others to the DON.

G. Assists the DON in the orientation of new staff.

H. Adheres to established policies and procedures of the hospital and Nursing Department.

I. Actively participates on nursing committees.

J. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO SELF

A. Evaluates own performance and seeks opportunities for growth and expansion of skills

B. Takes initiative in upgrading and maintaining skills necessary to provide quality care to provide quality care to patients and leadership to assigned staff.

C. Acquires continuing education sufficient to maintain licensure and certification

1. Maintains current nursing licensure

2. Provides Human Resources and DON with a copy of current nursing license.

3. Maintains required competencies

4. Completes assigned program tracks assigned by DON / DSD.

5. Completes appropriate level of Clinical Advancement within established timeframes

D. Membership in appropriate professional organizations.

E. Assumes responsibility for maintaining / enhancing physical health and alleviating stress

1. Attendance

F. Demonstrates competency in a variety of nursing skills as demonstrated and evaluated on at least an annual basis.

1. Attends annual skills fair

G. Displays a customer service attitude toward patients, visitors, and other staff members at all times.

1. Demonstrates basic telephone skills (how to answer, place on hold, and transfer a call.)

2. Utilizes intercom

3. Demonstrates how to page physicians or others on call.

H. Abides by all safety, infection control, and other guidelines as required.

1. Follows guidelines for caring for patients in isolation

2. Utilizes hand-washing techniques

3. Cleans equipment between patient usages.

4. Reports personal symptoms of suspected illness or contagious disease to the Employee Health Nurse .

5. Demonstrated knowledge of universal blood and body fluid precautions

I. Promotes an ethic of continuous quality improvement in all matters associated with the position, and documents specific quality improvement implementation.

J. Performs all other tasks and duties as may be assigned.

K. Provides a level of competency to treat patients 18 and older.

1. Adults :

a. Involves them with care planning by meeting any needs they identify during assessment

b. Identifies their normal patterns of living and strives to attain them

2. Geriatric :

a. Strives to obtain understanding by speaking distinctly and moving slowly.

b. Involves family as much as possible

Other Skills and Abilities :

Supervisory Requirements (if applicable) : None

Safety Requirements :

Employees are responsible for all aspects of the hospital safety and health program including compliance with safety rules and regulations, remedying unsafe working conditions, and for continuously practicing safety while performing duties. Sonoma Specialty Hospital policy prohibits employees with patient contact or those who prepare products for patient use from wearing artificial nails.

Physical Demands :

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.

Work Environment :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to hospital areas and general office environment. The work environment is a clean, well-lit, well-ventilated, and temperature controlled environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The hours of duty are lengthy and irregular.