Licensed Vocational Nurse III
About The Position
The Licensed Vocational Nurse III performs advanced vocational nursing work at San Antonio State Hospital in the Maximum Security Unit. The role provides care, treatment, and general welfare support to individuals with complex medical, mental health, and/or behavioral health issues. The nurse performs routine and non-routine nursing tasks, collects specimens, conducts health screenings, and carries out technical nursing procedures in accordance with facility and state regulations. The position works under the limited supervision of a Registered Nurse, with considerable latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. The position also provides direction, instruction, and on-the-job training to newly hired LVNs and direct care staff; monitors and assigns work to LVNs as needed; evaluates nursing interventions; and assists RNs with protocols, procedures, and programs to improve health and safety. It requires regular attendance and may involve rotating schedules, extended shifts, overtime, alternate shifts or locations during disaster response or continuity-of-operations activation. The position is not eligible for telework and may earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights, weekends, or maximum-security locations.
Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited LVN program.
- At least 12 months of employment experience as an LVN.
- Current licensure to practice as a licensed vocational nurse in Texas or in a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
- 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 TIPS, and ability to assess and care for patients and/or staff during emergencies.
- Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, Intermediate Care Facility rules, and policies and procedures related to State hospitals, or ability to gain that knowledge quickly.
- Skill in identifying problems through reasoning and considering appropriate resolutions.
- Skill in operating computers and applicable software, and ability to use an electronic health record system.
- Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and health-service delivery; interpret policies, procedures, and healthcare regulations; recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment; and plan, assign, and/or oversee others’ work.
- Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively orally and in writing.
- Ability to provide care to individuals with complex medical, mental health, and/or behavioral health issues.
- Ability to prepare and maintain records and communicate effectively and instruct others.
- Pass required fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks.
- Be at least 18 years of age for employment at a state-operated facility.
- Comply with HHSC immunization policy and State Hospital operating procedures related to immunizations.
- Flexibility in work hours may be required; overtime and extended hours may be required.
Nice To Haves
- Eighteen months of employment experience as an LVN is preferred.
- Six months of experience working or volunteering directly with people with mental illness is preferred.
- Six months of experience training, teaching, or leading others is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Administer medications and treatments, make rounds, and work in other State Hospital locations as needed.
- Perform complex technical nursing procedures, including tracheostomy care, gastrostomy/jejunostomy care, wound care, and breathing treatments.
- Collect specimens for laboratory examination and conduct appropriate screening tests when requested.
- Monitor individuals’ weight, diet, mealtimes, vital signs, health status after treatments and procedures, and signs and symptoms of illness.
- Document treatments and observations accurately and promptly in electronic health records or paper charts, and report symptoms and pertinent information to the RN and/or Primary Care Provider.
- Communicate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team and collect data for the RN or Primary Care Provider.
- Lead and monitor staff who observe individuals before, during, and after treatments and procedures; evaluate nursing intervention outcomes and confer with healthcare team members.
- Train and orient new LVNs, observe their work, provide feedback, support completion of on-the-job training checklists, plan learning experiences, and serve as an ongoing resource.
- Monitor and oversee LVNs as assigned, assign work as needed, and provide feedback to supervisors.
- Assist RNs with implementing protocols, procedures, and programs to improve the health and safety of staff and individuals.
- Assist with infection-control measures, quality assurance programs, therapeutic nursing programs, medication variance matters, and scheduling as assigned.
- Participate in facility Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement initiatives and committees as requested.
- Respond to emergencies, support individual safety including de-escalation procedures, and follow hospital safety and infection-control procedures.
- Provide educational and safety training to State Hospital staff upon request.
- Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities when required, potentially at an alternate shift pattern or location.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
- Defined benefit pension plan.
- Generous time off benefits.
- Opportunities for career advancement.
- Additional pay may be available for work performed on evenings, nights, weekends, or maximum-security locations.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
