Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

SUN Behavioral Health; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Ideal candidates have an accredited LVN/LPN diploma, current Texas LVN/LPN license, CPR certification, and de-escalation training. Two years of behavioral health experience is preferred. The role emphasizes safety, CQI participation, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Graduated from an accredited nursing program with a Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse diploma and current LVN/LPN license in the state of employment.
• CPR certification and de-escalation technique training are required.
• Two years of LVN/LPN experience in an acute behavioral healthcare setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates ability to care appropriate to condition and age of patient including pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric population.
• Demonstrates ability to observe patient's behavior, mental status and activities.
• Demonstrates ability to follow patient plans of care developed by treatment teams.
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications, including psychotropic drugs, and their correct administration.
• Demonstrates ability to orient patients to the unit, take admission vital signs and record on the Nursing Assessment Form.
• Demonstrates ability to perform and record patient vital signs, intake and output; notifies RN of changes.
• Demonstrates ability to provide general nursing care, including transferring patients and assisting with ADLs.
• Demonstrates ability to identify behaviors requiring intervention.
• Demonstrates ability to escort patients for activities and tests.
• Demonstrates ability to perform patient safety checks and document appropriately; understands LOS, 1:1 and Close observations.
• Demonstrates ability to assist with restraining a patient and placing in seclusion.
• Demonstrates ability to set limits and use de-escalation techniques.
• Demonstrates abilities to treat patients and families with respect and dignity; provide emotional support.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Strives to create a safe, healing environment for patients and families.
• Follows safety rules, reports near misses and incidents promptly.

Skills

Nursing care

Crisis intervention

Vital signs

Medication administration

Patient safety

De-escalation techniques

HIPAA compliance

Communication

Education

LVN/LPN diploma

CPR certification

De-escalation training

Job description

Position Summary

Provides nursing care following physical and mental assessment plans, laboratory testing, plans of care and therapeutic treatments. Knowledgeable of a wide range of disorders; cognitive, emotional, developmental, social and behavioral. Performs crisis intervention. Provides direct and indirect patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Provides for the personal care and comfort of psychiatric patients. Participates in the department's performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities

Position Summary

Provides nursing care following physical and mental assessment plans, laboratory testing, plans of care and therapeutic treatments. Knowledgeable of a wide range of disorders; cognitive, emotional, developmental, social and behavioral. Performs crisis intervention. Provides direct and indirect patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Provides for the personal care and comfort of psychiatric patients. Participates in the department's performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities

Position Responsibilities

Clinical / Technical Skills (40% of performance review)

• Demonstrates ability to care appropriate to condition and age of patient including, pediatric, adolescent, adult and the geriatric population.
• Demonstrates ability to observes patient's behavior, mental status and activities.
• Demonstrates ability to follow the patient plans of care developed by the treatment teams
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications, including psychotropic drugs, and their correct administration based on the age of the patient and their clinical condition
• Demonstrates ability to orients patients to the unit, takes admission vital signs and records on the Nursing Assessment Form.
• Demonstrates ability to performs and records patient vital signs, intake and output; notifies RN of any changes.
• Demonstrates ability to provide general nursing care, i.e., transferring patients, assisting with ADLs.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify behaviors that require intervention.
• Demonstrates ability to escort patients when leaving the unit for activities and scheduled tests.
• Demonstrates ability to perform patient safety checks at scheduled times, documents appropriately. Can verbalize the different levels of observation (LOS, 1:1 and Close 15)
• Demonstrates ability to assist with restraining a patient, placing a patient in seclusion.
• Demonstrates the ability to set limits for patients and other de-escalation techniques.
• Demonstrates ability to treat patients and families with respect and dignity; provides emotional support.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Safety (15% of performance review)

• Strives to create a safe, healing environment for patients and family members
• Follows all safety rules while on the job.
• Reports near misses, as well as errors and accidents promptly.
• Corrects minor safety hazards.
• Communicates with peers and management regarding any hazards identified in the workplace.
• Attends all required safety programs and understands responsibilities related to general, department, and job specific safety.
• Participates in quality projects, as assigned, and supports quality initiatives.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.

Teamwork (15% of performance review)

• Works well with others in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation.
• Responds willingly to colleagues and serves as an active part of the hospital team.
• Builds collaborative relationships with patients, families, staff, and physicians.
• The ability to retrieve, communicate, and present data and information both verbally and in writing as required
• Demonstrates listening skills and the ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken and written word.
• Demonstrates adequate skills in all forms of communication.
• Adheres to the Standards of Behavior

Integrity (15% of performance review)

• Strives to always do the right thing for the patient, coworkers, and the hospital
• Adheres to established standards, policies, procedures, protocols, and laws.
• Applies the Mission and Values of SUN Behavioral Health to personal practice and commits to service excellence.
• Supports and demonstrates fiscal responsibility through supply usage, ordering of supplies, and conservation of facility resources.
• Completes required trainings within defined time periods, as established by job description, policies, or hospital leadership
• Exemplifies professionalism through good attendance and positive attitude, at all times.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and staff information, following HIPAA and other privacy laws.
• Ensures proper documentation in all position activities, following federal and state guidelines.

Compassion (15% of performance review)

• Demonstrates accountability for ensuring the highest quality patient care for patients.
• Willingness to be accepting of those in need, and to extend a helping hand
• Desire to go above and beyond for others
• Understanding and accepting of cultural diversity and differences

Qualifications

Education

• Required: Graduated from an accredited nursing program with a Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse diploma. Current LVN/LPN license in the state of employment. CPR and hospital-selected de-escalation technique certification.
• Maintains education and development appropriate for position.

Experience

• Preferred: Two (2) years of experience as a LVN/LPN in an acute behavioral healthcare setting.