Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Relief

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability 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 annually.

About the role

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) will practice under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse or Physician, assisting in the determination of predictable healthcare needs of consumers. Duties will be assigned based on level of training, education, experience, and licensure, and will perform nursing services within the scope of practice for an LVN under the Texas Nurse Practice Act.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes a four-step systematic nursing process (assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to deliver services.
• Performs technical nursing skills within the LVN scope of practice, adhering to Agency policies and procedures for individual or multiple consumer assignments.
• Performs diagnostic tests, administers medications, sets up equipment, and applies therapeutic treatments.
• Documents relevant nursing care, observations of consumer signs, symptoms, test results, behaviors, and responses to medications and treatments in consumer records.
• Complies with Agency policies, procedures, and accrediting/regulatory body requirements for documentation.
• Informs, explains, and educates consumers and family members about medications, treatment information, and disease processes.
• Provides health education and pertinent information at an appropriate level, including literature to support understanding.
• Delivers nursing care with a focus on consumer, environmental, and technical safety.
• Assigns specific tasks, activities, and functions to other LVNs and unlicensed personnel in structured healthcare settings for consumers with predictable healthcare needs.
• Demonstrates behaviors that promote positive outcomes in vocational nursing practice.
• Uses a problem-solving approach for decision-making and reports relevant information to supervising Registered Nurse or Physician.
• Provides health education, disease process, and medication information to non-licensed staff regarding consumer healthcare needs.
• Delivers ethical nursing care in a confidential and caring manner.
• Adapts to changing work requirements and performs related work as assigned.

Requirements

• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) from a one-year college program.
• One year (12 months) of licensed nursing experience (excluding clinical hours required for education) preferred.
• Mental health, behavioral health, or IDD experience preferred.
• Knowledge of the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Nurse Practice Act and nursing care standards of practice.
• Knowledge of applicable pharmacy rules and regulations.
• Ability to apply crisis intervention techniques.
• Understanding of Standard Precautions and infection control procedures for handling sharp instruments, needles, blood, and body fluids.
• Understanding of good body mechanics to avoid injury.

Skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong data collection and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize.
• Positive interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Initiative, self-direction, and strong time management skills.
• Ability to complete tasks and assignments independently.
• Clinically sound decision-making.
• Proficiency in using medical equipment, machines, monitors, and computer applications.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with a robust retirement plan and company matching.
• Prior service credit for accelerated Paid Time Off accrual.
• Cell phone discounts and exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work.
• Free Headspace subscription for mental wellness.
• Employee Assistance Program for overall well-being.
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility as a qualifying entity.

Salary is based on the number of years of relevant experience.