Licensed Vocational Nurse II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Abilene, TX

24d • $4,548 - $5,921 • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Vocational Nurse II provides complex vocational nursing care to individuals residing at the Abilene State Supported Living Center. Residents may have complex medical, mental health, or behavioral health needs, including intellectual and developmental disabilities. The nurse performs routine and non-routine nursing tasks, supports residents’ health and welfare, and works under the general supervision of an RN, with moderate latitude to use initiative and independent judgment.

The role includes administering medications and treatments, performing technical nursing procedures, collecting specimens, conducting screenings, monitoring residents’ health, and documenting and reporting care. The nurse instructs direct support professionals and other staff, mentors and trains new LVNs, and collaborates with RNs and interdisciplinary team members. The position may involve working across homes or other facility locations, providing care in a clinic or lab, accompanying individuals to appointments or activities, and treating HHS employees injured in the course and scope of employment.

The position is full-time and based at the Abilene State Supported Living Center. It is not eligible for telework. Morning, evening, and night shifts are available; flexibility, rotating or extended shifts, overtime, on-call duty, weekends, and holidays may be required. Travel may be up to 5%. The position may also be assigned to alternate shifts or locations during disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation.

Requirements

• Graduation from a licensed vocational nursing (LVN) program.
• Texas LVN licensure, or licensure from a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact; alternatively, a temporary permit to perform supervised nursing duties while awaiting licensure.
• Maintain current CPR certification and have the strength and flexibility to safely perform CPR.
• Knowledge of nursing care standards, nursing procedures and techniques, and principles and processes for providing appropriate patient care.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures and equipment, including CPR, and ability to assess and care for residents or staff in emergencies.
• Reasoning skills to identify problems and consider appropriate resolutions.
• Skill operating computers and applicable software, and skill in patient care and treatment.
• Ability to provide care to people with complex medical, mental health, and/or behavioral health needs.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and use an electronic health record system after training.
• Ability to communicate effectively and instruct others.
• Ability to interact appropriately with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, their families, and staff.
• Pass required fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks, including CANRS, Nurse Aide, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, and HHS LEIE checks.
• Must be at least 18 years old to work at a state-operated facility.
• Males aged 18–25 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; flexibility in hours, overtime, and extended hours may be required.
• Employees are subject to random drug testing.

Nice To Haves

• Prior employment experience as an LVN.
• Experience working or volunteering directly with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Experience using an electronic health record system.

Responsibilities

• Attend work regularly, follow assigned or rotating shift schedules, and perform other assigned duties; may be required to work extended shifts, overtime, or on-call rotations.
• Administer medications and treatments orally, rectally, internally, or by injection, and assist RNs, physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants with examinations and patient care.
• Make rounds or home visits as needed and work in other locations at the SSLC as needed.
• Perform complex nursing procedures, including tracheostomy care, gastrostomy/jejunostomy care, wound care, and breathing treatments, in accordance with facility and state regulations.
• Collect laboratory specimens and conduct requested screening tests.
• Monitor residents’ weight, diet, feedings, vital signs, and health status following treatments and procedures.
• Instruct direct support professionals and other staff on monitoring residents after treatments or procedures, including use of instruction sheets.
• Document and report treatments and observations promptly and accurately in electronic health records or paper charts; recognize illness symptoms and report them to the RN or Primary Care Provider.
• Communicate pertinent information with interdisciplinary team members, including the RN Case Manager, to support treatment decisions.
• Mentor new LVNs and assist the RN Supervisor with their on-the-job instruction and training.
• Assist RNs with protocols, procedures, and programs to improve the health and safety of staff and residents; assist infection control, quality assurance, and therapeutic nursing program activities; collect data for the RN or Primary Care Provider.
• Provide residents with information and education about procedures and treatments in accordance with their care plans.
• Ensure residents are positioned correctly for treatments and assist or instruct staff with repositioning when necessary.
• Maintain supplies, take inventory, and order supplies through appropriate channels.
• Respond to emergencies and follow facility safety and infection-control procedures.
• Perform other assigned duties, which may include working in the clinic or lab, assisting with patient scheduling, accompanying residents to activities or appointments, and providing treatment to HHS employees injured in the course and scope of employment.
• Participate in or support disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities, which may require an alternate shift or location.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time-off benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Free continuing education units (CEUs) and updated resources through Lippincott access for nurses.
• Additional pay may be available for work performed on evenings, nights, and/or weekends.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed