Licensed Vocational Nurse (Lvn)

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a licensed staff member who performs those duties as outlined below. Under medical provider or RN direction, and operating within the scope of practice of an LVN, provides nursing care for clinic patients following established standards and practices. The LVN directs patient flow, sets a patient friendly environment in the clinic and provides direct patient care, assisting the medical provider by preparing the patient for the visit, taking appropriate vital signs, collecting requested specimens and preparing the patient for medical procedures. The LVN at the direction of the medical provider, also performs CLIA waived laboratory testing, EKGs, draws blood, and gives immunizations and medications. They direct the patients flow by setting up medication refill requests, sorting and prepping paperwork and collecting and recording information for the provider.

GENERAL DUTIES: (This list may not include all of the duties assigned.)

• Provides direct patient care: takes vital signs, observes and checks for changes in patients condition, prepares patient for provider visit, recognizes patients nursing needs, abnormalities or urgent problems and uses or provides appropriate assistance and resources.
• Sets up and assists provider during procedures, which may include administering treatments, such as ear lavage, dressing changes, specimen collection etc. Ensures specimens are ready for collection at appropriate time. Uses knowledge of and practices sterile technique and universal precautions during all procedures.
• Ensures accurate medication is administered in the correct form and dosage such as immunizations, injections and oral medications within the scope of practice and/or utilizes resources available for medication administration. Ensures patients receive education regarding medications, dosage, side effects, purpose of medications and ensures patients understand all necessary information.
• Responsible for recognizing signs and symptoms of emergent problems and notifying provider as necessary. Follows clinic procedures in case of emergency and is knowledgeable and able to perform CPR, and function effectively in a code situation. Starts IVs as directed and assists with CPR or major clinical events.
• Blood drawing and preparation of specimens for laboratory including urine, sputum, feces, vaginal smears, gram stains. Perform HemoCue tests, urine Clinitests, throat cultures and Glucometer tests.
• Maintain adequate inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Coordinate follow-up care: Pap Smears, Diabetic patients, hypertensive patients, immunization, anemia screening and family planning. Do patient recall system.
• DOT and Non-DOT urinalysis drug screens and maintains Policy and Procedure Manual for DOT and Non-DOT Training.
• Assist with DNA testing, blood lead testing and WIC patients.
• Monthly log of temperature checks twice daily.
• Monthly log of daily eye wash flush and check.
• Bi-weekly Jail check of drug logs, medication checks and inmate blood draws.
• Documents all pertinent information in patients chart, including information and instructions given to patient related to test results, procedures and medications. Reviews and organizes medical record to ensure it is complete so that information can be brought to providers attention.
• Answers patient calls and obtains complete information regarding patients condition and determines, in consultation with the provider, if patient needs to see provider and in what time frame. Returns patient calls, providing advice to patient as instructed by the provider.
• Coordinates patient flow within the clinic and troubleshoots problems, including ensuring emergent patients are able to see provider, and communicating patient information to provider.
• Performs miscellaneous duties to maintain quality care and efficient patient flow for the clinic. These may include maintaining and caring for equipment, ordering and stocking supplies, answering patient calls and scheduling as needed for new, follow-up, and consult appointments, ensuring appropriate forms, authorizations and consents are utilized.
• Develop education materials as needed and maintain health education materials and the reference library.
• Responsible for ordering and stocking all medical supplies daily and on a periodic basis. Maintain updated medical supply prices.
• Assist with patient education and apply teaching skills to enhance patients knowledge of his/her condition and elaborate on methods relative to immediate care or future prevention.
• Provides emotional support to patients and families experiencing difficulty and notifies provider of any special problems or concerns. Refers patient or family to appropriate people if questions cannot be answered. Is aware of available resources within Western Sierra Medical Clinic and community.
• Maintains good relations and fosters effective public relations with patients, medical staff and other providers. Demonstrates appropriate use of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques in dealing with patients, ie. Direct questions, silence, and touch.
• Uses appropriate tools to communicate with providers and other staff, ie. Telephone, intercom and computer system.
• Ensures confidentially of all patient, family, provider, and other staff information. Only discusses patient information when pertinent to care and only with appropriate personnel. Maintains computer confidentiality as well, by ensuring patients are unable to see screen and computer screens are locked out when not directly attended.
• Follows established policies and procedures, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Explains costs related to procedures and lab tests to patients prior to administering, or assures that the provider has done so.
• Maintains a clean work environment in personal spaces, staff space and patient spaces such as exam rooms.
• Maintains and cares for office and clinical equipment and supplies. Cleans and sterilizes equipment. Performs quality control procedures
• Uses appropriate safety procedures for handling, storage and disposal of biohazard waste.
• Prioritizes work and provides prompt and efficient services.
• Tracks client data, specialty appointments and diagnostic tests. Follows up with patients who appear behind.
• Attends educational updates.
• Attends bi-annual CPR certification.
• Documents all pertinent information in patients electronic medical record according to WSMC's policies and procedures.
• Upholds WSMCs Policies and Procedures, infection control standards, applicable state, federal and local laws.
• Quality Improvement Duties:

a) Participates in quality improvement activities;

b) Participates as assigned in interdepartmental quality improvement team efforts; and

c) Contributes to overall Community Health Center efforts in quality improvement towards higher-quality, more cost-effective health care for patients and improved quality of work-life for staff members.

The wage range for this position is $30-40 per hour.