Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

About the role

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is seeking a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to join our dedicated team. The LVN will provide nursing services under the direction/supervision of a Registered Nurse/Physician, focusing on the determination of predictable healthcare needs and performing nursing tasks within the scope of practice.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
• Utilizes a four-step systematic process (assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to deliver consumer services.
• Performs technical nursing skills within the scope of practice for a LVN and in accordance with Agency policies and procedures.
• Administers medications, sets up equipment, and applies therapeutic treatments.
• Documents relevant information regarding nursing care in consumer records, charts, and reports.
• Documents observations of consumer signs, symptoms, test results, behaviors, and response to medications and treatments.
• Complies with established Agency policies and procedures and accrediting/regulatory bodies and performance contract requirements for documentation.
• Informs, explains, and educates consumers and family members regarding medications, relevant treatment information, and disease processes.
• Provides nursing care with a focus on consumer, environmental, and technical safety.
• Assigns specific tasks, activities, and functions and maintains appropriate supervision of other LVN's and unlicensed personnel in structured health care settings for consumers with predictable health care needs.
• Demonstrates behaviors that promote development of positive outcomes in relation to the practice of vocational nursing.
• Utilizes a problem-solving approach as the basis for decision making in practice, including reporting relevant information to supervising Registered Nurse or Physician.
• Provides health education, disease process, and medication information regarding consumer health care needs to non-licensed staff.
• Provides ethical nursing care in a confidential, caring, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner.
• Performs related work as assigned. Adapts to changing work requirements.

Qualifications

• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) from one year College
• One year (12 months) of licensed nursing experience (not including clinical hours required for education), preferred
• Mental health/behavioral health/intellectual disabilities experience preferred
• Knowledge of Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Nurse Practice Act and nursing care standards of practice
• Knowledge of and ability to apply crisis intervention techniques
• Understanding of Standard Precautions and infection control procedures for dealing with sharp instruments, needles, blood, and body fluids
• Understanding of good body mechanics to avoid injury
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written)
• Effective data collection skills
• Positive interpersonal skills
• Good organizational skills with the ability to prioritize
• Demonstrates initiative and self-direction
• Able to coordinate well with others and work effectively as a team member
• Able to use all related medical equipment, machines, monitors, and computer applications
• Demonstrates strong time management skills
• Able to complete tasks and assignments independently
• Demonstrates clinically sound decision making

What We Have To Offer

• A competitive salary
• A suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally
• A robust retirement plan with company matching
• Prior service credit for accelerated Paid Time Off accrual
• Cell Phone Discounts
• Exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work
• A free Headspace subscription for mental wellness
• An Employee Assistance Program for overall well-being
• Significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million. Serving what is one of the largest communities in the nation, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County, with services provided in more than 40 different languages and sign language. By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.