Licensed Vocational Nurse II

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

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

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!

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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.

Essential Job Functions:

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.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• 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).

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

Licensed to practice as a licensed vocation nurse in the state of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact. Initial Selection Criteria:

• Graduation from a LVN program.

• Prior employment experience as an LVN is preferred.

• Experience working or volunteering directly with persons with intellectual disabilities or other developmental disabilities is preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18 - 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center employees are subject to Random drug testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

MOS Code:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 68C, 290X, 46FX, 46NX, 46SX, 46YX. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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