NEEDED: LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE(s)

LOCATION: 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161

SCHEDULE: Rotating

STATUS: Full-Time and PRN

QUALIFICATIONS: Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVNs) shall have:

• A current license in at least one (1) state, territory, or commonwealth in the U.S. or the District of Columbia
• Current certification in CPR by an American Health Association Vendor.
• Current Basic Life Support certification.
• A minimum of one (1) year direct patient care experience within the last three (3) years.
• LVNs working in Acute Locked Psychiatry shall possess current ProAct or equivalent MAB training and or certification.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES of LVNs.

General. LVNs may be assigned to any unit within the HCS. For any assignment within a HCS the LVN provides direct and indirect nursing care by contributing to the patient’s assessment, determining priorities, identifying nursing measures and therapeutic objectives, and evaluating outcomes. The position requires independent judgment and nursing actions, flexibility, organizational skills, and the ability to utilize an inter-disciplinary approach in the provision of nursing care. Specific duties and responsibilities of LVN include:

• Serves as a member of the nursing team and participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care provided.
• Serves as a direct patient care provider and carries out nursing care for assigned patients. Is alert to physical and emotional changes and complications related to patient disease process and reports such immediately to the RN.
• Observes patient’s changing condition and reports and records changes on the nursing progress note and care plan. Enters accurate, complete information in the medical record about patient’s condition and responses to treatment and actions taken to carry out nursing care.
• Reinforces instructions to patient scheduled for invasive, diagnostic, or pre/post operative procedures. Instruct patients on use of equipment (e.g. oxygen, suction, incentive spirometry, etc.). Reinforces instructions to patients and families on the use of prescribed medications.
• Performs a range of treatment and procedures that include but are not limited to changing sterile dressings, inserting urinary drainage catheters, irrigating catheters and/or nasogastric tubes, irrigation wounds, giving enemas, using various forms of body temperature control, administering oral, topical and intramuscular medications and reporting information concerning adverse effects, caring for patients in isolation, and/or continuous observation status, and giving treatments that require use of specialized oxygen, suction or other supplies.
• Observes, promptly reports, and documents observations regarding the physical and emotional status of patients, including such things as changes in vital signs, bodily functions, clarity of speech and/or orientation to time, place, or person.
• Performs a range of diagnostic support duties which include taking vital signs, during neurological checks, collecting specimens, obtaining laboratory reports, and assisting in a variety of examinations such as lumbar punctures, paracentesis, liver biopsies, thoracentesis, and bone marrow examinations by positioning and
• draping patients and providing other assistance as necessary.
• Recognizes emergency situations (e.g., cardio-pulmonary arrest, choking, etc.) and takes prompt, appropriate action.
• Initiates emergency measures to control patient’s disruptive or violent behavior.
• Assumes responsibility for patients requiring constant observation, including those placed on legal holds as a danger to themselves, others, or gravely disabled, which includes fifteen (15) minute documentation of patient’s condition on appropriate forms.
• Prepares, administers, and records prescribed medications in accordance with Medical Center’s Policy and Procedure which shall be provided by the Government upon assignment. Observes and reports physical and emotional reactions to medications.
• Counts narcotics, assuming responsibility for narcotic security and the accuracy provided by the Government upon assignment.
• Reports to the RN completion of care rendered changes in patient’s response or of records. Administers narcotics according to VASDHS policy which shall be condition and care needs remaining prior to leaving the clinical area. Maintains completeness and accuracy of all continuing patient records, including intake and output, vital signs, and activities of daily living.
• Performs a range of personal care that includes feeding, bathing, lifting, and turning patients, providing for personal hygiene, and performing preventative, rehabilitative, and therapeutic care/procedures within the scope of the LVN.
• Accompanies patients on diagnostic or therapeutic trips, assuming responsibility for nursing decisions while away from the nursing unit, within the scope of the LVN.
• Meets safety and security needs of patients at all times.
• Promotes a sense of dignity and self-worth for all patients and staff.
• Consistently demonstrates helpful, courteous, respectful conduct at all times.
• Respect patient’s rights, including but not limited to, visual and auditory privacy.

BENEFITS:

• Full-Time (30 to 40 hours per week): Competitive hourly pay rate, accrued vacation, accrued sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays, 401K opportunity, and Healthcare Benefits contribution.
• PRN (less than 20 hours per week): Competitive hourly pay rate, 401K opportunity, Healthcare Benefits contribution.