LVN, Licensed Vocational Nurse

About the role

Committed to Our Community in the Heart of the Redwoods. Removing Barriers to Healthcare Access

PCHC Plaza Community Health Center

The Licensed Vocational Nurse at Open Door Community Health Centers (ODCHC) provides skilled nursing care to patients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The LVN plays an essential role in providing high quality patient care and access through visits using protocols and transitioning care to an RN or provider whenever able or needed. Within the Care Team, the LVN works as a point person for daily functions under the direction of an RN or medical provider.

A LVN II possesses proficient understanding and demonstration of LVN tasks and scope of practice as determined by the California Board of Vocational Nursing (BVN). They can perform tasks independently and may be able to describe the purpose of the task and troubleshoot issues. They are a resource and context expert for their peers and clinic.

Compensation Range

$34.00-$39.32

All new hires will start at the base wage for the position.

Hmong and Spanish speakers who successfully pass a language exam will receive a minimum of.75 cents added to their wage.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Screens telephone calls, staff messages, and myChart/patient advice requests messages for referral to a RN or medical provider and schedules a visit with an RN or medical provider as appropriate.
• Provides direct clinical oversight for Medical Assistants (MA) assigned to Care Team.
• Properly conducts MA procedures in alignment with ODCHC guidelines, such as electrocardiograph (EKG), respiratory testing, vision and hearing tests, ear irrigations, peak flow, nebulizer, etc. as needed to support MAs in the pod.
• Screens RN patient schedules to perform various visit types including immunizations, follow-up education, medication administration, and co-visits with RN.
• Utilizes resource schedule in clinic to perform visits under the direction of the RN or provider.
• Explains procedures and treatments to patients under the direction of an RN or medical provider for the patient to gain cooperation, understanding, and relieve apprehension.
• Responsible for collecting patient data through observation, palpation, and auscultation during a patient assessment based on chief complaint under the direction of an RN or medical provider.
• Observes patient, records and reports significant conditions and reactions, and notifies supervisor or medical provider of patient's condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.
• Communicates directly with RNs and medical providers regarding patient assessment and needs; transitions patient to medical provider or RN as needed.
• Utilizes Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) communication for a warm hand off to an RN or medical provider as appropriate.
• Administers medications and vaccines as ordered by medical provider or by protocol.
• Accurately records patient history, exam notes, medication history, ongoing care, and referrals in electronic health record (EHR) according to ODCHC Protocols.
• Manages tasks in their EHR inbasket and appropriate tasks in assigned RN or medical providers' inbasket.
• Ensures team inbasket tasks are completed in a timely manner according to team role and scope.
• Assists in chronic care management, such as outreach calls, care coordination, etc.
• Assists and/or facilitates routine daily huddles within the team.
• Provides oversight to the MA working in the Care Team as needed for safe vaccine delivery.
• Maintains awareness of comfort and safety needs of patients.
• Responds to medically urgent situations based upon nursing standards, policies, procedures, and protocol.
• Refills medications following the refill protocol under the supervision of the medical provider.
• Prepares and maintains a wide variety of records and reports.
• Teaches patients, families, and staff care, prevention, and treatment enhancement techniques under the direction of an RN.
• Attends and participates in meetings and quality improvement activities as required.
• Identifies problems related to patient services and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Participates in evaluation of peers and support staff.
• Participates in staff meetings as required.
• Participates in Open Door quality improvement activities, meetings, and initiatives.
• Performs specialized duties, projects and other duties as identified and assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications and Expectations

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish constructive professional working relationships among a diverse workforce.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and independently as needed.
• Ability to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent, and equitable manner.
• Ability to exercise sound and responsible judgment.
• Strong computer skills with specific aptitude in Microsoft Office Suite and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to effectively represent ODCHC's interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships among co-workers, public, private, and professional groups.
• Adheres to ODCHC's policies and procedures.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED.
• Completion of an LVN training program leading to licensing as Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Current Licensed Vocational Nurse license for State of California
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR Certification
• Successful completion of competency sign off within 90 days of hire.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The LVN works as a member of the Care Team and may act as a clinical supervisor as needed for MAs on the Care Team.

Supervision and Support

The LVN reports directly to the RN - Clinical Services Manager. The LVN works directly with the RN, medical providers, and support staff assigned to their Care Team and across the clinic.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate via telephone, video, and/or in-person.
• Ability to read documents, computer screens, forms.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to use keyboard and view computer screens for extended periods.
• Ability to travel locally and long-distance as needed.
• Ability to move around offices and clinics as needed.