Description
In collaboration with and under the direction of the Registered Nurse, the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) utilizes the processes of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation to provide safe, therapeutic care to patients and families to promote health and prevent disease. Working at top of license, the LVN functions as a member of the multidisciplinary and nursing teams, carries out established nursing procedures and performs nursing care for patients with complex, multisystem needs. The LVN demonstrates investment in the forward movement of the unit and the organization. Demonstrating engagement in the communication process, the LVN uses verbal and non-verbal skills to achieve organizational service goals of customer satisfaction and a positive work environment.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- The LVN performs general nursing care in accordance with nursing practice standards. This includes, but may not be limited to:
- Assists with the preparation of equipment and assists the physician/provider during treatment, examination, and testing of patients.
- Collects assessment data, prepares patients for examination and documents clinical information in the patients electronic medical record.
- Orders diagnostic tests as directed by registered nurse or physician/provider and gathers diagnostic tests and /or examines results prior to physician assessment.
- Schedules procedures as necessary, ensures diagnostic procedures are performed in a timely manner and escorts patients to testing areas as needed.
- May give injections or medication, collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, and prepares them for testing when needed.
- Participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care using focused assessment in settings where nursing care takes place.
- Performs appraisal of the patients current status and situation which contributes to the comprehensive assessment performed by the RN and supports on-going data collection.
- Communicates with the RN and the healthcare team when:
- Patient care exceeds the LVN scope of practice.
- Patient needs surpass the LVNs knowledge, skill or ability.
- Patient condition deteriorates or significant change in condition occurs.
- Patient is not responding to treatment.
- Patient becomes unstable or needs immediate RN assistance.
- LVNs are permitted to perform the following duties once competencies have been established:
- May accept a written order for medication or treatment from a licensed practitioner authorized by law.
- May accept a verbal order when they have received instruction and training in doing so, and when the policy and regulations permit.
- May initiate and maintain IV therapy under the oversite of an RN.
- Monitor vital signs and observe changes in health status.
- Administer basic patient care, including changing dressings and inserting urinary catheters.
- Provide basic comfort for patients such as helping them bathe, dress, eat, and ambulate.
- Discuss the care they are providing to patients and listen to patient concerns.
- Report patient status and concerns to the RN/physicians
- Collect venous blood samples.
- Remove simple uncomplicated sutures.
- Insert NG tubes.
- Change gastrostomy, tracheostomy and cyst ostomy tubing when stoma is healthy.
- Supervise non licensed personnel such as CNAs, PSAs
- In all cases, the practice of the LVN is the performance of selected responsibilities, duties and skills under the direction of the professional RN.
Job Requirements EducationMinimum (Required)High School diploma or equivalentGraduate from an accredited LVN training programWork ExperienceMinimum (Required)Previous healthcare experience as an LVN or in a patient support role.Preferred (Not required)1 year or more in acute M/S/T unit.Licenses and CertificationsMinimum (Required)Current CA license as an LVNCurrent Basic Life Support (American Heart Association)Preferred (Not required)Phlebotomy certificate preferred.IV certification may be required based on specific area of practice.Pay TransparencyThe hourly rate range for this position is $30.81 – 37.93. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California Arcadia Hospital considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidates work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, State, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Quick Apply Link: https://usccareers.usc.edu/job/-/-/1209/81954290672