LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE I

What will I do as a Licensed Vocational Nurse I?

• Administers medications by injection, orally, and other pre-determined methods with the exception of research drugs as determined by the Medical Department.
• Checks prescribed dosages against specified limits.
• Observes and reports adverse reaction to medications.
• Recognizes the need for emergency care; initiates life saving action in emergencies and alerts the nurse-in-charge or physician.
• Sets up, operates and monitors electronic and/or mechanical equipment such as croupettes, oxygen therapy and suctioning equipment.
• Monitors the functioning of intravenous apparatus and cardioscopes. 
• Provides bedside care such as maintaining personal hygiene, providing comfort and safety, performing urgent housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean and safe environment and taking measures to prevent pressure sores and other infirmities endemic to bedridden patients.
• Measures and records vital signs; records bed care procedures, treatments, indications and nourishment provided and output.
• Observes and reports on progress of patients. 
• Obtains and provides information on patients at change of shift briefings with nursing personnel and in contacts with doctors.
• Reports on significant incidents involving nursing personnel, patients and others.
• Gives eye and ear irrigations and instillations.
• Cleans, debrides, medicates and applies dressings to wounds, using sterile technique.
• Observes patients for manifest signs of anxiety stress or indications of change in emotional state or behavior, makes chart notations and informs a registered nurse of problem conditions.
• Provides emotional support to the patient, displaying empathy and interest in the patient's progress, being aware of and encouraging patient's special aptitudes for the patient's rehabilitation.
• Interacts in prescribed fashion with psychiatric patients on a one-to-one basis on the ward or while participating in activities off the ward by encouraging socialization and motivating and reassuring patients in a psychiatric setting.
• Follows the orders of the therapist in structuring discussions to elicit appropriate patient responses and participates in group therapy sessions led by a professional staff member by interacting with patients in ways designed to develop trust and clarification of problems.
• Teaches isolation technique to patients and visitors.
• Prevents spread of infection by using correct sterile technique.
• Lays out appropriate instruments and supplies and assists the physician in performing medical and surgical procedures.
• In some specialized jobs performs one of the following assignments: Monitors the operation of specialized equipment set up by a physician or nurse-in-charge such as renal dialysis machines, regulating venous and dialysate pressure from verbal instructions, monitoring gauges and alerting the nurse-in-charge when readings and observations of the patient indicate an abnormal condition. 
• Performs specialized procedures such as peritoneal dialysis, adding prescribed medication in the dialysate solution, introducing and draining the solution in accordance with precise procedures, as needed.
• In a labor and delivery unit, prepares the expectant mother for delivery by shaving and disinfecting the abdominal area. Monitors vital signs and contractions, contacting the physician when these come within a specified range. 
• Sets up and strips down the delivery room before and after delivery, wiping all equipment and mopping the floor with disinfectant. 
• Serves as circulating nurse during normal deliveries, observing for breaks in aseptic technique and assisting the physician outside the sterile field.
• Performs duties of Nursing Attendants as an incident to work described above, as needed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:

*Please ensure the License and Certificate Section of the application is completed for the Vocational Nursing License. Provide the title of your required license and certifications, number, date of issue, date of expiration and the name of the issuing agency as specified in the requirements on your application at the time of filing or e-mail the information to [email protected] within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing.

• The license is required to be current and valid without limitations or restrictions.

• We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Credit will be given to applicants who possess the following desirable qualifications:

• Experience providing patient care in a healthcare setting such as in hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, or specialized outpatient service centers etc.
• A current certification in accordance with American Heart Association's Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (CPR & AED) Program.**

• • **Applicants must attach a legible photocopy of their current/unexpired BLS certification to their application at the time of filing or email a copy within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing your application to [email protected].