Graduate - Licensed Vocational Nurse II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Brenham, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. This position is available for Morning, Evening and Night shifts on multiple homes.This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends. This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations. Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you! Free CEUs and updated resources through Lippincott access for all nurses. Performs highly complex vocational nursing work. Provides for the care, treatment, and general welfare of individuals residing at the SSLC who have complex medical, mental health and/or behavioral health issues. Performs basic and complex routine and non-routine nursing tasks to promote the health of the individuals within the assigned areas and assigned shift. Collects specimens for lab work and performs health screenings. Instructs direct support professionals and other staff on how to provide service and care that support the individual’s medical needs. Performs technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations. Keeps informed of and follows all agency, SSLC, and unit/home policies and procedures. Provides direction and assists with on-the-job training to others such as newly hired LVNs and direct care staff. Assists Registered Nurses (RNs) with implementation of protocols, procedures and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals. Works under general supervision of an RN with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Knowledge of nursing care standards, nursing procedures and techniques, and of the principles and processes used in providing appropriate patient care.
Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., CPR, and ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations.
Skills in using reasoning to identify problems and in considering appropriate resolution of situations.
Skill in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.
Skill in the care and treatment of patients.
Ability to provide patient care to a wide variety of individuals with complex medical, mental health, and/or behavioral health issues.
Ability to prepare and maintain records and to use an electronic health record system once trained.
Ability to communicate effectively and to instruct others.
Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members.
Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Licensed to practice as a licensed vocation nurse in the state of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Issued a temporary permit to perform supervised nursing duties awaiting licensure.
Graduation from a LVN program.

Nice To Haves

Prior employment experience as an LVN is preferred.
Experience working or volunteering directly with persons with intellectual disabilities or other developmental disabilities is preferred.
Experience using an electronic health record system is preferred.

Responsibilities

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift, and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. [May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.]
Administers medications and treatments orally, rectally, internally, or by injection. Assists other medical staff, such as Registered Nurses (RNs), Physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants, in examining and caring for patients. Makes rounds and/or home visits as needed and works in other locations at the SSLC as needed. Demonstrates competency in performing complex technical nursing tasks and procedures in accordance with HHSC, SSLC and state regulations. Trains/instructs new LVN staff to perform nursing functions at the SSLC, including acclimating them to the individuals, and describing their needs and preferences.
Performs complex and technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations such as tracheostomy care, gastrostomy/jejunostomy care, wound care, breathing treatments. Collects specimens for laboratory examination and conducts appropriate screening tests when requested by lab personnel.
Monitors individuals’ weight, diet, feedings, and vital signs. Monitors individuals’ health status after treatments and procedures. Instructs direct support professionals on how to monitor individuals after a treatment or procedure using instruction sheets such as that used for post-sedation monitoring of signs and symptoms.
Timely and accurately documents and reports pertinent treatments and observations in the individual’s medical record (electronic health record or paper chart) in accordance with SSLC procedures and protocols. Recognize symptoms of illness and reports accurately to RN and/or Primary Care Provider.
Fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and integration. Communicates pertinent information orally and in writing to other team members, such as the RN Case Manager, in order to ensure the treatment team has the best information possible to make decisions.
Serves as a resource/mentor for new LVNs. Assists the RN Supervisor with on-the-job nursing instruction and training of other new LVNs.
Assists RNs with implementation of protocols, procedures, and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals. Assists the Infection Control Nurse by implementing measures that prevent the spread of disease, assists the QA Nurse in developing and implementing quality assurance programs, and assists in the implementation of therapeutic nursing programs. Collects data for RN/Primary Care Provider.
Provides information and education to individuals, in accordance with their care plan, when performing procedures and treatments such as explaining the name and purpose of a particular medication and explaining why the individuals is taking the medication.
Ensures the individual is positioned correctly prior to providing a treatment and, when necessary, assists or instructs other staff in turning/repositioning individuals to administer treatments.
Ensures that supplies are available, in advance, to provide the required procedure or treatment. Takes inventory and ensures the home/unit is properly stocked. Orders supplies through appropriate channels when they are needed.
Responds to emergency situations to ensure safety of individuals. Follows safety and infection control procedures of the SSLC.
Performs other duties as assigned such as working in the clinic or lab, assisting with patient scheduling, and/or accompanying individuals off site for activities or appointments that need nursing attendance.
Provide treatment to HHS employees injured in courses and scope of employment.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more

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