Licensed Vocational Nurse III

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. 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. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced vocational nursing work.
• Provides for the care, treatment, and general welfare of individuals residing at the State Hospital (SH) who have complex medical, mental health and/or behavioral health issues.
• Performs basic and advanced routine and non-routine nursing tasks to promote the health of the individuals within the assigned areas and assigned shift.
• Collects specimens for lab work and performs health screenings.
• Instructs direct support professionals and other staff on how to provide service and care that support the individual’s medical needs.
• Performs technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations.
• Keeps informed of and follows all agency, SH and unit policies and procedures.
• Provides direction and assists with on-the-job training to others such as newly hired LVNs and direct care staff.
• Trains/instructs new LVN staff to perform nursing functions at the SH, including acclimating them to the individuals, their needs and preferences.
• Assists RNs with implementation of protocols, procedures, and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals.
• Works under the limited supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice as a licensed vocation nurse in the state of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Graduation from a LVN program.
• Minimum twelve months employment experience as an LVN is required; eighteen months is preferred.
• Six of experience working or volunteering directly with persons with mental illness preferred.
• Six months year of experience training/teaching or leading others is preferred.

Qualifications

• 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 and TIPS, and ability to assess and care for patients and/or staff members in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with mental health issues rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State hospitals or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.
• 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 organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment; and to plan, assign, and/or oversee the work of others.
• Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to instruct others.
• Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Skills

• 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 and TIPS, and ability to assess and care for patients and/or staff members in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with mental health issues rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State hospitals or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.
• 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 organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment; and to plan, assign, and/or oversee the work of others.
• Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to instruct others.
• Maintain current CPR certification.

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. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Pay

$4,866.58 - $6,335.66 per month

Schedule

Day shift with potential for evening and weekend shifts.