PSYCHIATRIC LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE - HOC BPSR

POSITION PURPOSE: Under the general direction of the Registered Nurse Manager, the Psychiatric Licensed Vocational Nurse provides professional nursing care to mentally ill and emotionally disturbed clients on an outpatient basis.    EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. Provides professional nursing care to mentally ill outpatients; Performs intake psychiatric interview and assessment; Consults with psychiatrists and other mental health staff in designing appropriate treatment plans for clients and in ongoing treatment of patients; Initiates and continues treatment plans; Ensures that all lab tests are completed; Administers, monitors the use of and notes reactions to psychotropic drugs and other medications; Assesses clients in crisis situations and facilitates prompt resolution including administering medication, counseling, etc.); With physician authorization, orders medications and refills as appropriate; Informs and/or instructs patients and/or family members about the nature of the illness, any preventive measures, the medications prescribed and possible side effects, etc.; Assists the patient to understand and accept the need for treatment; Collaborates with other nurses and program team members, family members, and, in some cases, hospitals, board and care facilities, pharmacists, conservators, etc.; Attends, participates in and provides information about assigned patients in daily meetings of nurses, weekly staff conferences and other case consultations; Requests assistance and guidance from management and professional staff when necessary to address patient issues and problems; Works with family members, conservators, etc. to ensure medication compliance by providing information and instruction; Communicates and/or follows-up with pharmacists and hospitals; Performs various administrative functions involved in patient care; Updates appropriate components of client charts; Completes admittance and other necessary paperwork; Enters necessary data and information; obtains and reviews medical records. Other duties assigned by the GM and Program Director.   DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of: Professional nursing principles, procedures and techniques used in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients; Social, psychological and physical factors of mental and emotional disorders; Medical and psychological terminology; Control, preparation and administration of medications; State of California laws and regulations for the nursing profession; Regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and the treatment of the mentally and emotionally disturbed patient; Theories, principles and techniques of group and individual psychotherapy; Organization and procedures of mental health treatment facilities and the use of multi-disciplinary treatment teams; Symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed and mentally ill patients; Medical and psychiatric emergency procedures; Community resources.   Ability to: Apply professional nursing care principles and procedures in the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric patients; Develop interpersonal therapeutic relationships with psychiatric patients; Keep accurate written charts and records of patient activities and progress; Comply with laws, rules, regulations, protocols and procedures, including security requirements, applicable to psychiatric facilities; Use professional judgment to ascertain and to apply appropriate intervention techniques with patients in crisis; Work cooperatively with medical and mental health professionals in a multi-disciplinary treatment setting; Assist in formal and informal individual and group counseling; Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with patients, their families and fellow staff members; Participate with in-service training and education.   Experience and Training: High school diploma/GED required. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is at least two years of full-time psychiatric vocational nursing experience in a psychiatric facility; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.   LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The incumbent must have a valid Licensed Vocational Nurse license issued by the state of California. Failure to maintain such license will be cause for termination. Current CPR certification is required as well as proof of clear TB test; On occasion may require transportation of clients in personal vehicle. Bilingual preferred. Bilingual candidates will be required to pass a bilingual competency test prior to their hire date.   PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk or stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.   Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; observe and interpret complex situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and interact with program management, staff, clients, clients’ family members and others encountered in the course of work. The employee may have occasional contact with abusive and physically violent patients.   WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee works under typical medical office conditions; the noise level is moderately quiet.