Under direction of the Program Manager of Integrated Health and within federal, state and local guidelines performs entry-level vocational nursing work. Work involves providing for the care, treatment, and general welfare of patients. The medical professional will provide nursing services to the clients of mental health and primary care services at The Center for Integrated Health and DOPC. These services include, but are not limited to, functioning as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team, providing direct nursing services at The Center for Integrated Health and DOPC. The medical professional will have a thorough knowledge of the applicable standards of care for the mental health programs. All consumer and program needs will be communicated to the RN in Charge or designee. The medical professional is to maintain ethical standards of nursing and consumer confidentiality at all times. This position is also responsible for assisting Physicians, Nurses, and Front Desk Staff in the coordination of services provided in The Center for Integrated Health and DOPC. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Denton County MHMR Center is a Trauma Informed Care Center.

Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification)

High School Diploma or GED required. Graduation from an accredited Nursing School and must have and maintain a current LVN license with the Board of Nurse Examiners in the state of Texas. Six months to one year of experience with persons with mental illness preferred. Prefer experience in teaching medication education/health education, self-medication, and first aid.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• LVN license with the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners
• All job specific training must be completed within 30 days of hire
• Must maintain a valid Texas driver's license, auto liability insurance, and a driving record acceptable to the Centers insurance requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of nursing procedures and techniques and of the principles and processes used in providing appropriate patient care.
• Skill in using reasoning to identify problems, in considering appropriate resolution of situations, and in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.
• Ability to provide patient medical care, to prepare and maintain records, and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to provide patient care, to administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to conduct PMAB, and to communicate effectively.

Essential Duties

Monitors medications.

• Analyze lab reports and secure physicians' signature on their reports, notify physician within 8 hours if unusual results are noted.
• Orders medication for clients as ordered by the physician.
• Monitors medication compliance and adherence to treatment.
• Administers medications as ordered by physician.
• After performing all in house labs, the procedure and findings will be documented at the time of service. The ordering provider will be notified on the same day that the results are in. LVN will demonstrate ability to call in medications and/or provide medications in house for individuals served when ordered by a physician or NP. Also, LVN will demonstrate how to document effectively when medications are called in and/or provided in house according to protocol at least 95% of the time. LVN will demonstrate the ability to understand orders.

Completes all documentation.

• Complete all documentation in an accurate and timely fashion within 24 hours of services received.
• Ensures all documentation is completed and filed in accordance with DCMHMR policy and procedure.
• Records all vital signs and laboratory results at time of service.
• Records clients' symptoms, complaints, and/or problems during nursing assessment and medication education.
• Documents clients understanding of education and expected outcome.
• Answers other state agency requests in a timely fashion and without breaking client confidentiality.
• Completes incident reports within 24 hours of occurrence.
• Ensures release of information is signed prior to answering correspondence to community agencies.

Provide skills training to consumers.

• Ensures clients are aware of procedures for self-medication, medication side effects, and medical techniques.
• Provides skills training on-site and in the community.
• LVN will demonstrate during the nursing assessment that the individuals served understands how to take their medications and will provide any instructions when they do not understand how to take their medications and/or use their durable medical equipment.

Practices communicable disease control.

• Knows and practices universal precautions.
• Identifies and assesses clients with communicable disease and reports to the physician and appropriate medical authorities.
• Knows and utilizes infection control policy and procedures for DCMHMR.
• Notify RN in Charge or designee of suspected and/or confirmed cases of communicable diseases.
• LVN is able to identify potential communicable diseases and is able to demonstrate the ability to follow the protocol for notifying the nurse in charge.
• Legibly documents accurate information identifying how medication has been provided at that visit using proper pay source.
• Performs audits as directed.
• LVN will perform emergency interventions per established protocol.

• Ensures that clients are seen in The Center for Integrated Health and DOPC for scheduled and standby appointments in a timely manner by working closely with the Psychiatrists, Primary Care Physician, Nurses, and Front Desk Staff.
• Ensures that clients are referred to Behavioral Health Consultant and/or Case Manager as deemed necessary by Psychiatrists, Primary Care Physician, Nurses or Mental Health Authority Staff.
• Checks each client in and out of The Center for Integrated Health and DOPC as per protocol.
• Checks vital signs as delegated by a doctor or nurse, per protocol.

• Provides emergency intervention when necessary according to Department of Human Services (DHS) and Center Policies and Procedures.
• Provides verbal Prevention Management of Aggressive Behavior (PMAB) intervention correctly when necessary.
• Provides Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in an emergency until other medical aid arrives.
• Provides emergency and non-emergency first aid until professional aid arrives or as directed by a licensed medical professional.
• Maintains all emergency intervention training according to Denton County MHMR Center (DCMHMR) Policies and Procedures.