Licensed Vocational Nurse Full Time Days

Oceans Healthcare; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Lake Charles seeks a Licensed Vocational Nurse to provide nursing care for adults and seniors with anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team under RN supervision, documenting care and implementing interventions per the treatment plan.

The role requires an active LVN/LPN license, a high school diploma or GED, and the ability to perform in a high-stress environment.

Qualifications

• Current LVN/LPN license active in the employing state.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• One year inpatient hospital experience preferred.
• Ability to work in high-stress, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Delivers quality nursing care to patients by collecting data and identifying deviations from normal under RN supervision.
• Documents all findings in patient records and communicates assessment findings to the care team.
• Implements nursing care interventions per treatment plan and physician orders.
• Performs bedside nursing duties including ADLs, wound care, and lab tests as prescribed.
• Promotes patient coping and adapts care to cultural and individual needs.
• Administers medications safely and educates patients about medications.

Skills

Nursing care

Documentation

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Critical thinking

Education

LVN/LPN license

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Lake Charles, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

The Licensed Vocational Nurse's primary role is to provide nursing care for patients who are experiencing common, well-defined health problems. The LVN functions as a member of the multidisciplinary health care team, and utilizes the nursing process in implementation of patient's care. Those services are performed under the supervision of a registered nurse but utilize all nursing skills to make safe, appropriate and independent decisions within the scope of the LVN nursing practice. All duties to be done in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and Performance Improvement Standards.

Essential Functions:

• Delivers quality nursing care to assigned group of patients by collecting data and identifying deviations from normal; assists with reassessing patients according to assignments, need and unit protocol and/or hospital policy under the direction of the registered nurse.
• Accurately and thoroughly documents all findings in the patient record and identifies expected outcomes based on assessment data; effectively communicates pertinent assessment findings with other health care members.
• Implements nursing care interventions identified in the individualized multidisciplinary treatment plan using accepted standards of practice in collaboration with other health care providers; performs nursing procedures/treatments as prescribed by physician/LIP.
• Conducts specified bedside laboratory tests, wound care, and provides for comfort and assistance in the performance of ADLs;
• Promotes the patient's ability to cope, adapt and/or solve situations related to illness and/or stressors.
• Provides supportive, age appropriate communication and culturally acceptable interventions and documents special needs.
• Provides for the safe delivery of medications in accordance with the facility policies and physician orders; administers medications utilizing established safety procedures / standards. Ensures patients are effectively assessed prior to and after medication administration. Accurately communicates/documents medication doses prescribed, and provides patient education on medication administered.
• Follows up on patient care responsibilities; communicates incomplete assignments and patient needs with other disciplines to assure continuity of care; transcribes orders accurately and performs chart audits of transcription accurately and according to facility guidelines.
• Utilizes nursing knowledge to successfully meet the needs of the facility, patient population and staff members. Utilizes nursing resources to enhance evidence-based practice.
• Guides, educates, and provides leadership as a preceptor to new staff. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Current, valid, and active license to practice as a Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse in the state of which you are employed at an Oceans Healthcare hospital. Valid Compact licenses are also acceptable as they apply. High School Diploma or GED is required. One year of inpatient hospital experience strongly preferred.

Must be able to work in high stress and assess potential for patient escalation. The LVN/LPN must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to consistently achieve positive results with internal and external customers, be highly organized, have an understanding and sensitivity to serve culturally diverse and special needs population such as Chronically Mentally Ill, Geriatric, CD, as well as be versed in basic knowledge of normal physical and emotional development. Exhibits critical thinking abilities and applies them for continuous improvement of patient care. Demonstrates self-confidence and ability to think conceptually in leading and directing others. Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.