Licensed Vocational Nurse - BTL Technologies Inc.

OUR CLIENT

The VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System (VAGLAHS) provide health care services at 11 locations in a 5-county area of southern California. Facilities include our West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and our Sepulveda VA Medical Center.  There are 9 community-based outpatient clinics in Arcadia, Bakersfield, Commerce, Lancaster, Los Angeles, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria. To learn more about the services each location offers, visit the VA Greater Los Angeles health services page.

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is one of the leading health care systems serving Veterans in the VA Desert Pacific Network.  They are an innovative care center within the Veterans Integrated Service Network 22 (VISN 22). VISN 22 includes medical centers and clinics in Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON CONTRACT AWARD

In support of the Veteran Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, the Licensed Vocational Nurse will perform a variety of nursing assistant duties at the various VA facilities in the greater Los Angeles area.  Duties of the position include but are not limited to:

• Serves as a member of the nursing team and participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care provided.
• Serves as a direct patient care provider and carries out nursing care for assigned patients.  Is alert to physical and emotional changes and complications related to patient disease process and reports such immediately to the RN.
• Observes patient’s changing condition and reports and records changes on the nursing progress note and care plan.  Enters accurate, complete information in the medical record about patient’s condition and responses to treatment and actions taken to carry out nursing care. 
• Reinforces instructions to patient scheduled for invasive, diagnostic, or pre/post operative procedures.  Instructs patients on use of equipment (i.e. oxygen, suction, incentive spirometry, etc.).  Reinforces instructions to patients and families on the use of prescribed medications.
• Performs a range of treatment and procedures that include but are not limited to changing sterile dressings, inserting urinary drainage catheters, irrigating catheters and/or nasogastric tubes, irrigation wounds, giving enemas, using various forms of body temperature control, administering oral, topical, and intramuscular medications and reporting information, concerning adverse effects, caring for patients in isolation, and/or continuous observation status, and giving treatments that require use of specialized oxygen, suction, or other supplies.
• Observers, promptly reports, and documents observations regarding the physical and emotional status of patients, including such things as changes in vital signs, bodily functions, clarity of speech and/or orientation to time place, or person.
• Performs a range of diagnostic support duties which include taking vital signs, during neurological check, collecting specimens, obtaining laboratory reports, and assisting in a variety of examinations such as lumbar punctures, paracentesis, liver biopsies, thoracentesis, and bone marrow examinations by positioning and draping patients and providing other assistance as needed.
• Recognizes emergency situations (i.e. cardio-pulmonary arrest, chocking, etc.) and takes promp appropriate action.
• Initiates emergency measures to control patients’ disruptive or violent behavior.  Assumes responsibility for patients requiring constant observation, including those placed on legal holds as a danger to themselves, others or gravely disabled, which includes fifteen (15) minute documentation of patient’s condition on appropriate forms.
• Prepares, administers, and records prescribed medication in accordance with Medical Center’s Policy and Procedures which shall be provided by the Government upon assignment.  Observes and reports physical and emotional reaction to medications.
• Counts narcotics, assuming responsibility for narcotic security and the accuracy of records.  Administers narcotics according to VAGLAHS policy which shall be provided by the Government upon assignment.
• Reports to the RN completion of care rendered changes in patient’s response or condition and card needs remaining prior to leaving the clinical area.
• Maintains completeness and accuracy of all continuing patient records, including intake and output, vital signs, and activities of daily living.
• Performs a range of personal care that includes feeding, bathing, lifting, and turning patients, providing for personal hygiene, and performing preventative, rehabilitative, and therapeutic care/procedures within the scope of the LVN.
• Accompanies patients on diagnostic or therapeutic trips, assuming responsibility for nursing decisions while away from the nursing unit, within the scope of the LVN.
• Meets safety and security needs of the patient at all times.
• Promotes a sense of dignity and self-worth for all patients and staff
• Consistently demonstrates helpful, courteous, respectful conduct at all times
• Respect patient’s rights, including not limited to visual and auditory privacy.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate of approved nursing program through an accredited nursing school approved by the State at the time the program was completed
• Must possess current nursing license in at least one (1) state, territory, or commonwealth in the U.S. or the District of Columbia
• Minimum 1 year direct patient care experience within the last three years
• Ability to be favorably credentialed
• Current BLS issued through the American Heart Association
• LVNs working in Acute Locked Psychiatry shall possess current Proact or equivalent MAB training or certification.
• Must be willing to work 8- or 12-hour shift
• Must be willing to work any day or shift Monday-Sunday
• Must be willing to work various shifts as required
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Proficiency with computer and common office equipment, as well as with MS Office products required.
• Must be able to multi-task, be detail oriented, organized, and demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to perform duties in a stressful and high paced environment without physical limitations.
• Ability to adapt to sudden changes and flexibility in work requirements to include potential shift changes based on operational needs and/or command priorities
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. and carry up to 10ft
• Must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship