Licensed Vocational Nurse
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: TL78
Class Code: 8249
Established: 07/25/1973
Revised: 08/04/1998
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under clinical direction of a registered nurse or physician and under assigned administrative supervision, provides a basic level of general nursing care in a State facility to individuals with mental, emotional, or developmental disabilities, or visually impaired, medically ill, or infirm individuals; and does other related work.
Typical Tasks
May perform nursing procedures as regulated by licensure and certification such as: administering medications by any route except intravenous and intrathecal; performing treatments and procedures including passage of nasogastric tubes, administration of enteral feedings, monitoring of blood glucose, urinary catheterization, and administration of enemas; maintaining infection control by using universal precautions; collecting and documenting in the interdisciplinary notes data such as vital signs, patient/client behavior, patient/client response to medications, nursing care, and treatment plan; documenting significant changes in patient's/client's behavior and health status in the interdisciplinary notes and reporting those significant changes to both a registered nurse or physician and the assigned supervisor; demonstrating competent and safe utilization of unit and hospital emergency care equipment and techniques; participating as part of the treatment team with other disciplines by contributing to the overall treatment program for the patient/client; participating in patient/client activities, including unit routines and specific group activities, as outlined in nursing care plans/Individual Program Plans; using therapeutic nursing interventions and modalities to assist patients/clients in regaining and improving their physical adaptive skills and decreasing maladaptive behavior; assisting rehabilitation therapists in occupational, recreational, and industrial therapy programs for patients/clients; motivating and assisting patients/clients to develop self-reliance in activities of daily living; escorting patients/clients to intramural or extramural medical, health, or other community services; demonstrating awareness of patient/client rights and the potential for patient/client abuse; and promptly reporting any adverse behavior, patient/client abuse, or suspected abuse by staff.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid, active license from the State of California to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Fundamentals of nursing care including medication administration; general nursing procedures and techniques involved in the patient/client care; principles used in caring for individuals who are immobile; medical terminology; general hospital/facility routine and equipment.
Ability to: Perform nursing procedures as regulated by licensure and certification; observe and document symptoms and behavior; maintain records and prepare reports; gain the interest, respect, and cooperation of patients/clients; work effectively with patients/clients and the interdisciplinary treatment team; function effectively in an emergency situation; practice universal precautions.
Special Personal Characteristics
Aptitude for working with individuals who are acutely ill, infirm, visually impaired, have an emotional disorder, or a mental or developmental disability; demonstrate emotional stability, patience, tact, and alertness.
