The Central Texas Health Care System is recruiting for a highly qualified Licensed Vocational Nurse for our Seriously Mental Illness Life Empowerment (SMILE) Program located in Waco, Texas. The Licensed Vocational Nurse has the knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out most complex practical nursing assignments. He/she is responsible for direct patient care activities under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). The LVN works in a self-directed manner which requires minimal supervision from the RN. The practical nurse seeks guidance from the RN when difficulty is encountered with the assignment. Completes assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities, requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems. Completed work needs only a general review by an RN for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments. Major duties include but are not limited to: Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse or medical provider for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LVN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and age-related factors. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN and/or a provider. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or provider and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members and other staff. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment and monitoring the patient's condition before, during and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating and training less experienced LVNs or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Work Schedule: 07:30-4:00pm; 3:30pm-12am or 11:30am-8:00pm with rotating nights and weekends. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
