Licensed Vocational Nurse (Sacramento)

POSITION TITLE: Float Pool Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) / Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT)

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Float Pool Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) / Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) is a flexible clinical role that supports hospital operations across multiple units based on staffing and patient care needs. The employee is not assigned to a single unit and provides direct inpatient psychiatric care and related admission or referral support as assigned.

The LVN/LPT assists in assigned elements of patients' treatment plans, monitors and reports changes in behavior or condition, administers prescribed medications within applicable scope and policy, and collaborates with registered nurses and the interdisciplinary team. Assignments and clinical supervision are determined by hospital needs and applicable licensure requirements.

This is an in-person, patient-facing role requiring flexibility, sound judgment within scope, and the ability to transition between unit assignments. RN-level assessments, clinical decisions, and functions outside the LVN/LPT scope are referred to the RN or appropriate provider.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Admission and Referral Support

• Support admission processes by orienting new patients to the unit, program, and milieu, and promptly relay patient needs and observations to the RN.
• Accompany and transport patients as assigned, following applicable patient-safety procedures.
• Observe patients' behavior, progress, and safety; promptly communicate changes, concerns, and strengths to the treatment team.
• Participate in treatment planning by sharing observations and implementing assigned interventions under appropriate clinical supervision.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living in accordance with the treatment plan and each patient's needs, age, and developmental level.
• Encourage and facilitate participation in therapeutic activities and co-facilitate educational or community groups as assigned.
• Help maintain a safe, orderly, and therapeutic milieu, including community meetings and observation rounds as assigned.
• Assist Dietary staff in identifying patients with special diets and supporting compliance with dietary orders.
• Provide general nursing care assistance appropriate to assigned patients, within licensure, competency, and charge-nurse direction.

Inpatient Psychiatric Care Duties

• Provide direct patient care under appropriate clinical supervision and within applicable scope of practice and demonstrated competency.
• Administer medications as prescribed and within scope, policy, and competency; observe and promptly report patient response or concerns.
• Monitor assigned patients and report changes in condition, behavior, withdrawal indicators, or safety risks to the RN or charge nurse.
• Participate in treatment planning by communicating patient observations and implementing assigned elements of the treatment plan under supervision.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, shift reports, and hand-offs, providing clear and timely observations about assigned patients.
• Respond to psychiatric crises using approved de-escalation practices and current Handle with Care training; promptly notify the RN or House Supervisor and follow emergency procedures.
• Maintain timely patient, program, and department documentation and complete required incident reports.

Float Pool Expectations

• Adapt to assignments across hospital units and changing patient-care needs for each shift.
• Transition between admission/referral support and inpatient unit care as assigned and within applicable scope.
• Complete orientation and required competency assessments before performing assigned duties independently.
• Collaborate with RNs and interdisciplinary staff, and seek direction when an assignment is outside scope, training, or demonstrated competency.