Licensed Vocational Nurse/ LVN - Penn Mar Healthcare Center

A. Qualifications:

Must have a current and valid California State License. Six months to one year experience in psychiatric nursing desirable.

B. Responsibilities:

Administratively works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and reports to such. Acts in the capacity of assisting the Registered Nurse and in planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluating the nursing service of his/her unit for an eight hour period in order to insure a quality of service in accord with the policies set forth by the hospital’s governing body. Will serve in a capacity of team leader on a unit as well as at other times will be a member of the team. Will execute duties as assigned and in the manner outline in the Nursing Services Procedure book

C. Job Description:

It is understood that the Licensed Vocational Nurse works by general prearranged assignment as the basis for the activity for the shift, but must be able to accept changes and adapt to added assignments as the need arises.

 1. Functions related to direct physical care to patient:
    (a) Personal hygiene – (teach and supervise patient in self care).
    (b) Grooming 
    (c) Environment
    (d) Clothing
    (e) Nourishment and Fluids
    (f) Answering call signals
    (g) Prevent patient from self injury, environmental injury, or injury from others
    (h) Treatments and procedures as to authorized by the hospital administration.

2. Functions related to patient’s psychological and sociological care:

     (a) Plans activities for patients with other team members, team leaders, and rehabilitation services.
     (b) Encourages participation of patients in these activities joining into the activities himself.
     (c) Encourages and stimulates all patients to participate in therapeutic community meeting joining this meeting himself.
     (d) Assess and plan with your team leader and other team members when a specific patient needs one-to-one relationship and when they would benefit from small group interaction as such: re-motivation therapy, bibliotherapy, recreation therapy, etc.
     (e) Encourage patients in maintaining or re-establishing self care and self efficiency. 

3. Functions related to physical environment:

     1. Observe and report needed repairs and services to the nursing person in charge of the unit.
     2. Maintain all service areas and environment in clean and orderly condition.
     3. Practice economy in use of utilities.

4. Functions related to supplies and equipment:
     (a) Routine cleaning of utensils and equipmen (wheel chairs, walkers, oxygen equipment, refrigerators, etc).
     (b) Make out appropriate charge slips when using supplies and equipment.

5. Functions related to reporting and recording:
     (a) Listen to report when coming on duty- ask for any clarification on the assignment from the team leader.
      (b) Make rounds every fifteen minutes. Know where every patients is when making rounds (check shower room, etc. )
      (c) Check and make sure all doors that are to be locked are locked.
      (d) Keep written notes of pertinent information – report such to nursing person in charge of the unit and record on patient’s records:
                • Personal appearance ( positive and/or negative).
                • Conversation (use direct quotes).
                • Behavior (describe).
                • Activities (if participated or refused).
     (e) Assist nursing person in charge of the unit in making individualized nursing care plans for each of your assigned patients. Remember frequent revisions are necessary as the patient progresses or regresses.
      (f) Report to the nursing person in charge of the unit at frequent intervals concerning the condition of your patients. etc.
      (g) Remember, as a member of the therapeutic team you spend more actual time with your patients than any one, therefore, you must communicate what you hear, see, etc.,.to your team leader.

D. Other Duties as Required.