LVN Licensed Vocational Nurse

Colusa Medical Center, provides both inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency services, to the surrounding community bringing exceptional healthcare and service to our community.POSITION SUMMARY:Using independent and interdependent judgment, the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) maintains the delivery of quality care by assuring the nursing care plan is followed. In collaboration with the physician, the LVN assures implementation of the assessment plan, evaluation, and follows up of the plan of care for the patient population.Education and/or Experience:

A valid temporary or permanent CA State Practical/ Vocational Nurse License.

CPR certification required.

ACLS certification required

Experience Required:

One year experience as an LVN in an acute care facility preferred.

The individual must have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, be dedicated to the provision of quality patient care, and use sound judgement in decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to the following):

RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PATIENTA. Participates in an on-going systematic assessment of the physical, emotional, social, educational, and functional needs of the patient/family through interview, observation, and physical examination.

Provides plans, coordinates or manages nursing care, nursing services, and health education to patients/ residents.

B. Interprets assessment data and information to develop a nursing care plan which contains problem identification, nursing diagnosis, nursing orders, approaches, interventions, short/long term goals, and discharge planning.

Develops nursing care plan utilizing nursing diagnosis

Assesses safety and fall risk levels for patients

C. Assures that medical orders are transcribed and processed accurately, and integrates the medical care plan into the provision of nursing care.D. Assures that medication is correct and according to the established nursing policies and procedures.

Looks up unfamiliar medications

Processes medication orders

Administers medications as ordered

Evaluates effectiveness of PRN medications

Verbalizes process for self-administered medications

E. Provides for personal and environmental safety in accordance with hospital and nursing policies and proceduresF. Demonstrates skills in handling emergency and life-threatening situations

Locates and uses crash cart items

Calls Code Blue and Medical Emergency

Initiates CPR

Follows PP and POLST

G. Assures that documents in the medical record are complete, factual, accurate and timely.

Documents materials and equipment used.

Verbalizes method to noting orders.

Documents discharge in chart.

Initiates and updates care plan as appropriate.

Provides discharge instructions.

Completes interagency transfer form.

H. Provides nursing care to meet patient needs

Performs a complete head-to-toe assessment of each assigned patient per shift using proper documentation tools.

Acts promptly on changes in patient condition, utilizing SBAR method

Reviews lab and test results, notifying physician of abnormal and critical results

Performs wound care in accordance with policy, utilizing proper documentation tools.

Performs basic ventilator management and trouble-shooting.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO UNIT STAFFA. Provides direction and leadership in patient care to assigned personnel.

Acts as a team leader and provides guidance to unlicensed personnel.

Makes assignments for team.

B. Prioritizes activities and plans for effective use of time for patient needs.C. Communicates the plan of nursing care for each patient through reports, conferences, rounds, and patient care records.

Shift to shift report and shift huddle with aides

Delegates tasks to aides; monitors to make sure delegated tasks are completed appropriately.

D. Demonstrates responsibility for the teaching of nursing assistants in areas of new techniques, policies and procedures.

Preceptor

E. Participates in the quality improvement activities of nursing.

Attends appropriate meetings.

F. Communicates identified learning needs of self and others to the DON.G. Assists the DON in the orientation of new staff.H. Adheres to established policies and procedures of the hospital and Nursing Department.I. Actively participates on nursing committees.J. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.RESPONSIBILITIES TO SELFA. Evaluates own performance and seeks opportunities for growth and expansion of skillsB. Takes initiative in upgrading and maintaining skills necessary to provide quality care to provide quality care to patients and leadership to assigned staff.C. Acquires continuing education sufficient to maintain licensure and certification

Maintains current nursing licensure

Provides Human Resources and DON with a copy of current nursing license.

Maintains required competencies

Completes assigned program tracks assigned by DON/DSD.

Completes appropriate level of Clinical Advancement within established timeframes

D. Membership in appropriate professional organizations.E. Assumes responsibility for maintaining/enhancing physical health and alleviating stress

Attendance

F. Demonstrates competency in a variety of nursing skills as demonstrated and evaluated on at least an annual basis.

Attends annual skills fair

G. Displays a “customer service” attitude toward patients, visitors, and other staff members at all times.

Demonstrates basic telephone skills (how to answer, place on hold, and transfer a call.)

Utilizes intercom

Demonstrates how to page physicians or others on call.

H. Abides by all safety, infection control, and other guidelines as required.

Follows guidelines for caring for patients in isolation

Utilizes hand-washing techniques

Cleans equipment between patient usages.

Reports personal symptoms of suspected illness or contagious disease to the Employee Health Nurse .

Demonstrated knowledge of universal blood and body fluid precautions

I. Promotes an ethic of continuous quality improvement in all matters associated with the position, and documents specific quality improvement implementation.J. Performs all other tasks and duties as may be assigned.K. Provides a level of competency to treat patients 18 and older.

Adults:

a. Involves them with care planning by meeting any needs they identify during assessmentb. Identifies their normal patterns of living and strives to attain them

Geriatric:

a. Strives to obtain understanding by speaking distinctly and moving slowly.b. Involves family as much as possibleOther Skills and Abilities:

Has initiative in organizing work and completing assignments.

Cooperates with staff to maintain well-organized department.

Demonstrates professional decorum at all times.

Is willing to accept direction from team leader.

Maintains tactful and cheerful relationship with patients and visitors. Must use tact in dealing with relatives and friends of patients, including respecting patient confidentiality.

Must read, speak, write and comprehend English.

Computer skills required. Basic math knowledge, including addition, subtraction and multiplication.

Supervisory Requirements (if applicable): None

Safety Requirements:Employees are responsible for all aspects of the hospital safety and health program including compliance with safety rules and regulations, remedying unsafe working conditions, and for continuously practicing safety while performing duties. Sonoma Specialty Hospital policy prohibits employees with patient contact or those who prepare products for patient use from wearing artificial nails.Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Movement within hospital complex environment

Ability to write by hand, use keyboard and mouse extensively to perform general office functions

Ability to communicate by speech and hearing continuously

Must have visual acuity near and far (20 inches to 20 feet), depth perception, field of vision, ability to focus on an object, ability to identify and distinguish colors

Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time

Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and walk

Ability to grasp, hold and pick up and reach with hands and arms

Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds (periodic lifting of supplies or equipment)

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to hospital areas and general office environment. The work environment is a clean, well-lit, well-ventilated, and temperature controlled environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The hours of duty are lengthy and irregular.