General Description

Under the direction of the Administrator of Nursing Services, Mental Health Registered Nurse Team Leader, and within federal, state and local guidelines. Provides highly complex (senior level) vocational nursing work.  Work involves providing for the care, treatment, and general welfare of patients.  May train others.

The LVN will provide nursing services to the clients of mental health services through Denton County MHMR Center.  These services include, but are not limited to, functioning as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team, providing direct nursing services in the mental health clinic and community as well as providing enhanced crisis services. The LVN 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. The LVN is to always maintain ethical standards of nursing and consumer confidentiality. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Education, Training, and Experience

•  High School diploma or equivalent, current LVN license with the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
•  Six months to one year of experience with persons with mental illness preferred. 
•  Prefer experience in teaching medication, health education, self-medication, and first aid.

Registration, Certification, Licensure, and Other Qualifications

• Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.

o Individuals with an out-of-state driver's license must be able to obtain a driver's license in the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.

• Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

•  Knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnosis and procedures; of accepted medical treatment programs; and of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures. Knowledge and background in mental health services. Knowledge of serious and persistent mental disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse/dependence syndromes encompassed in the DSM-IV. Knowledge of common psychoactive medications used to treat neurobiological diseases of the brain.
•  Skills in the care and treatment of individuals served, and in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.
•  Ability to provide individual care, prepare and maintain records, to explain public health laws, to recognize patterns of medically necessary treatment, to communicate effectively, and to train others. Moderate mathematics skills. Proficient reading, writing, interpersonal relations and communicative skills.
•  Ability to make decisions based on educational preparation and or nursing/clinical experience, which reflect consistency with Agency philosophy, policies and procedures and standards of care, to provide individual care, to prepare and maintain records, to explain public health laws, to recognize patterns of medically necessary treatment, to communicate effectively, to train others, to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos, to write effective nursing notes, and to effectively present information in one-on-one and in small group situations. 

• Auditory and visual skills; ability to bend, stoop, sit, stand, reach, and lift items weighting 45 pounds or less; ability to talk and hear with aid greater than 2/3 of the time, ability to have clear vision at 20 inches or less; color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors); peripheral vision (ability to observe an area up/down or left/right) and ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust eye to bring into focus).
•  Ability to display regular and reliable (in-person, if required) attendance.
•  Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.

Essential Duties

The following list outlines key responsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does not encompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

1.Provides direct mental health nurse care to clients and their families and monitors Medication Clinic as Clinic LVN. ?

o Provides prompt face-to-face and telephonic crisis services by data collection, crisis intervention services, and crisis follow-up and relapse prevention services for individuals in the community, in outpatient services, the psychiatric medication clinic and in alternate care settings.

o Uses effective data collection skills while performing these enhanced crisis and medical service operations. Completes all documentation accurately and within designated timeframes.

2.Provide skills training to clients and counsels clients on specific health goals.

3.Help to coordinates, monitors, and/or participates in quality assurance programs.

4.Apply principles and practices to assess, prevent, and control disease

5.Attends appropriate meetings.

6.Perform additional duties as deemed necessary by department supervisor within designated timeframes, which may include:

7.Must be able to work at all locations if needed.

8.Participates in the Center's Zero Suicide Initiative.

o Supports individuals experiencing a crisis by promptly connecting them with appropriate Center programs, such as the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Psychiatric Triage, Crisis Prevention services, and/or other applicable resources. Ensure seamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.

o Remains with individuals, when deemed safe, to provide support and maintain a calm environment until specialized crisis staff or emergency personnel arrive to take over intervention efforts. Adheres to safety protocols to prevent escalation of the crisis situation.

o Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated staff following a crisis event. Collaborate with the team to review the incident, identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSC guidelines and Center policies are followed.

Full Time: Non-Exempt

Work Model: In person

Monday through Friday: 8AM-5PM

Pay Range: $25/HOURLY

Full-time employees are eligible for full medical, dental and vision benefits. Part time employees are eligible for full medical and dental benefits. Incentives are available if employee chooses to participate in Center's Wellness Program.

• Base Plan and Buy Up Plans offered through Imagine360.
  • The Center covers 100% of cost of the base plan if electing employee coverage only.
• Internal & External Employee Assistance Programs.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual starts at date of hire.
  • Full-time employees earn up to 120 hours of PTO during first year of employment.
    • Part-time employees earn up to 60 hours of PTO during first year of employment.
  • PTO increases with tenure level.
  • The Center gives 5 personal days to full-time employees and 1 personal day to part-time employees to use at their discretion.
• Full time employees are enrolled into 401a retirement plan at 90 days of service.
  • The Center contributes 3% of earnings at 90 days of service.
  • The Center contributes 5% of earnings at 2 years of service.
• Additional, 403b and 457 retirement plans available.
  
• Full time employees have access to Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
  • Medical FSA
  • Dependent FSA
• The Center offers and covers 100% the following to full-time employees:
  • Short Term and Long Term Disability
  • Basic Life & Accidental Death Coverage
  • Basic Life Spouse Coverage
• The Center offers and covers 100% the following to part-time employees:
  • Short-Term Disability

Denton County MHMR Center is an approved NHSC (CMHC) and Pediatric Specialty with HRSA and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) site.