Licensed Vocational Nurse I

About the role

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be requested to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Administers medications and treatments orally, rectally, internally, or by injection.
• Affords other medical staff, such as Registered Nurses (RNs), Physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and Physician Assistants, in examining and caring for patients.
• Makes rounds and/or home visits as needed and works in other locations at the SH as needed.
• Demonstrates competency in performing technical nursing tasks and procedures in accordance with HHSC, SH, and state regulations.
• Affords in acclimating and orienting new LVN staff to perform nursing functions at the SH, including introducing them to the individuals, and describing their needs and preferences.
• Performs basic and routine nursing tasks according to facility and state regulations.
• Under the guidance, supervision, and/or direction of a registered nurse, builds the skills necessary to competently perform more technical nursing procedures necessary to meet the health needs of the patients at the SH.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation and reporting of treatments and observations in the individual’s medical record (electronic health record or paper chart) in accordance with SH procedures and protocols.
• Fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and integration.
• Communicates pertinent information orally and in writing to other team members, such as the RN Case Manager, in order to ensure the treatment team has the best information possible to make decisions.
• Responds to emergency situations to ensure safety of individuals.
• Follows safety and infection control procedures of the SH.
• Collects specimens for laboratory examination and conducts appropriate screening tests when requested by lab personnel.
• Provides information and education to individuals, in accordance with their care plan, when performing procedures and treatments such as explaining the name and purpose of a particular medication and explaining why the individuals is taking the medication.
• Ensures the patient is positioned correctly prior to providing a treatment and, when necessary, assists and/or instructs other staff in turning/repositioning individuals to administer treatments.
• Ensures that supplies are available, in advance, to provide the required procedure or treatment.
• Takes inventory and ensures the home/unit is properly stocked.
• Orders supplies through appropriate channels when they are needed.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice as a licensed vocational nurse in the state of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Or Issued a temporary permit to perform supervised nursing duties awaiting licensure.
• If transporting patients, must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an LVN program with Nursing Accreditation or Permit by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formally known as National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
• Six months of experience working or volunteering directly with persons with mental illness preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of nursing care standards, nursing procedures and techniques, and of the principles and processes used in providing appropriate patient care.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., CPR, TIPS, and ability to assess and care for patient or staff members in emergency situations.
• Skills in using reasoning to identify problems and in considering appropriate resolution of situations.
• Skills in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.
• Skills in the care and treatment of patients.
• Ability to provide patient care to a wide variety of individuals with complex medical, mental health, and/or behavioral health issues.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and to use an electronic health record system once trained.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to instruct others.
• Must maintain current CPR certification.
• Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

Pay

$4,094.50 - $5,094.16 Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-A-16

Schedule

Regular Night Shift