Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD; Pasadena (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Retirement match

PTO accrual

Cell discounts

Headspace access

Employee assistance

Student loan forgiveness

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD in Texas is seeking a Licensed Vocational Nurse to join our team, under supervision of a Registered Nurse/Physician. The LVN will perform nursing duties within the Texas Nurse Practice Act and assist in determining predictable healthcare needs of consumers.

Responsibilities include administering medications, documenting care, educating patients and families, and coordinating care with the nursing team to ensure safety and high-quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• Mental health/behavioral health/IDD experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Texas Nurse Practice Act and nursing standards.
• Knowledge of applicable pharmacy rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Understanding of Standard Precautions and infection control procedures.
• Good body mechanics and safety awareness.
• Effective communication and data collection skills.
• Strong time management and organizational abilities.
• Able to coordinate with others and supervise team members.

Responsibilities

• Delivers nursing services under supervision within LVN scope.
• Performs nursing tasks, administers medications, sets up equipment.
• Documents nursing care in consumer records and reports.
• Educates consumers and families about medications and treatments.
• Ensures safety and supervises LVNs and unlicensed staff as needed.
• Collaborates with RN/Physician and other team members.

Skills

Mental health experience

Behavioral health

Nursing documentation

Effective communication

Team coordination

Infection control

Time management

Education

LVN license education

Job description

Brief Description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Licensed Vocational Nurse to join our team. The LVN will practice under the direction/supervision of a Registered Nurse/Physician. The LVN will assist in the determination of predictable healthcare needs of consumers, will perform nursing services as assigned and within the scope of practice for the Licensed Vocational Nurse under the Texas Nurse Practice Act. Duties will be assigned based on level of training, education, experience and licensure.

Your Role In Action

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

Education

• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) from one year College

Experience

• 1 year (12 months) of licensed nursing experience (not including clinical hours required for education) preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Mental health/ behavioral health/ IDD experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Nurse Practice Act and nursing care standards of practice.
• Knowledge of applicable pharmacy rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply crisis intervention techniques.
• Understanding of Standard Precautions and infection control procedures for dealing with sharp instruments, needles, blood and body fluids.
• Understanding of good body mechanics to avoid injury.
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written).
• Effective data collection skills.
• Positive interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to prioritize.
• Demonstrates initiative and self-direction.
• Able to coordinate well with others and work effectively as a team member.
• Able to use all related medical equipment, machines, monitors and computer applications.
• Demonstrates strong time management skills.
• Able to complete task and assignments independently.
• Demonstrates clinically sound decision making.

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally.

• competitive salary
• robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long‑term financial well‑being.
• prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well‑deserved breaks.
• Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness.
• Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well‑being.
• Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team.
• As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

What Else You Should Know

• This posting is associated with position #2927
• Salary is based on the number of years of relevant experience
• Requires travel, 11:00am-7:00pm position

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) 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 and has an annual budget of over $300 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.