Licensed Vocational Nurse

About the role

Under general supervision, performs semiprofessional nursing work relating to the care and treatment of patients. Functions as a team leader over other nonprofessional nursing personnel.

Responsibilities

• Administers routine medications and treatments as prescribed
• Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure of patients
• Observes condition of patients and reports unusual conditions to supervisors
• Affords assistance to medical or professional nursing staff in examinations or special procedures
• Catheterizes patients and gives enemas
• Provides general patient care, such as bathing, feeding and turning patients
• Affords assistance in providing postpartum and nursery care
• Maintains patients' charts and other records
• Affords assistance in providing care to children, such as in examinations, acceptance of medications and restriction of activities
• Collects specimens for laboratory analysis
• Affords assistance in the operation of special equipment such as inhalation and suction therapy
• May function as team leader over other nonprofessional nursing personnel or have charge responsibilities on the late shifts in chronic care patient areas
• Cleans and sterilizes medical supplies and equipment
• Performs other related work as required

Requirements

• Training and experience equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade and graduation from an accredited school of vocational nursing
• Possession of a current valid license as a vocational nurse issued by the California State Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners

Qualifications

• Knowledge of practical nursing theory and practice and hospital ward routines
• Ability to: apply routine nursing techniques in the care and treatment of patients; understand and carry out written and verbal instructions; stand and walk for long periods and exercise a moderate amount of physical exertion and manual dexterity in the handling of patients or equipment; get along well with others; maintain medical charts and records and prepare reports

Qualification Note

The licensing requirement is met if the candidate has, in accordance with California Business and Professions Code Section 2867.6 relating to Interim Permits, proof of passing the licensure examination, and is demonstrated by either a receipt for the initial license fee required by subdivision (e) of Code Section 2895 or a temporary certificate issued to practice by the Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners of the State of California.