PACE Day Health Services, LVN

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse Supervisor, the LVN will deliver the direct patient care services within the LVN scope of practice required of the nursing component of the LifePlan as well as provide all day center nursing functions and procedures for the assigned shift, to include the provision of nursing and personal care services (including and not limited to toileting, transfers, showers, dressing, grooming, and ADL’s).

Essential Functions of the Job:

• The LVN will use effective communication, coordination of services, resource management, education, patient advocacy, and related interventions to:
  • Promote improved quality of care and/or life.
  • Promote cost effective medical outcomes.
  • Prevent hospitalizations when possible and appropriate.
  • Assure patients receive appropriate treatments and medications in compliance with Life Plan.
  • Be the liaison to the patient’s personal physician for any medical concerns.
• Monitors and assess patients in the PACE Day center and report any variances to normal to the RN and RN Supervisor for further assessment.
• Assists in meal program count, ensuring that appropriate diets are served to participants.
• Provide education and counseling to the patient regarding treatment, side effects of medications and compliance with medications within the scope of practice. 
• Establish and maintain a system for a medication distribution process, patient treatment, medication inventory, biohazard receipt records, and entering information in database.
• Generate medication/treatment reports as requested by manager or administrative staff.
• Responsible for coordination, administration and monitoring of patient treatments.
• Provide training in self-administration of medication to patients.
• Counts, packages, pre-packages, and labels medication for inspection by pharmacist and fills routine orders for non-prescription pharmaceuticals.
• Inputs patient and prescription data into the pharmacy computer system to process prescriptions and maintain patient profiles.
• Administer medication according to nationally recognized patient care standards and scope of practice, to include giving medication only on a prescriber’s orders; identifying the patient prior to administration of a drug; administering medication one hour of the prescribed time; and recording in the patient health record the time and dose of each drug administered. 
• Assists in the ordering, stocking, and maintenance of drug inventory.
• Sets up weekly medications in med-set.
• Assists in the preparation of reports and written documentation, as required by the department, company, state and federal agencies.
• Provide one on one and/or telephone communication to address any issues and provide support to patient and their caregivers in regard to patient treatment and adherence.
• Maintain accurate records of all communications and interventions.
• Provide assistance in obtaining outside medical services.
• Maintain open communication with medical providers, pharmacist, and caregivers.
• Maintain compliance to and recommend updates to established policies and procedures as needed. Remind all staff of and ensure compliance to all objectives of the Quality Assurance Program as well as safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Maintain working knowledge of all regulations and standards to ensure compliance with orders or directives issued by duly constituted government or regulatory agencies.
• Support company and departmental QA/QI initiatives.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains and submits orders to maintain an adequate inventory of forms, clerical and pharmaceutical supplies, paper, and equipment. Assist in the preparation of reports and written documentation including medical records, as required by the center, program, company, state, and federal agencies.                                                                   
• Follows established departmental policies and procedures, objectives quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in service meetings and workshops.
• Attends meetings, including PACE morning meetings and IDTs, as needed, or required and participates on committees as directed.
• Demonstrated experience with Patient Advocacy.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Job Requirements

Experience Required:

• Minimum 6 months of experience in direct nursing care of seniors and frail elderly or disabled patients.

Experience Preferred:

• Skilled nursing and/or Adult Day Center experience
• Vaccine administration and documentation experience
• Wound care experience

Education Required:

• Graduate of an accredited program of vocational nursing or equivalent.

Education Preferred:

• Associates degree in Nursing or related field

Certifications Required:

• Current CA Licensed Vocational Nurse License
• Current Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider Course Certification

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Good oral and written communication.

Technical Skills and Knowledge Required to Perform the Job:

• Medical terminology.
• Knowledge of common impairments and best practices associated with elderly and disabled populations.

Equipment Used: 

• Computer and pharmacy software.
• Minor medical equipment such as vital signs monitors, emergency cart, automated external defibrillator (AED), and patient personal assistive devices.
• Network computer with various applications, facsimile machine, and telephone.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods of standing, walking. Some lifting of supplies and equipment. 
• Ability to follow directions accurately. 
• May be required to work some evenings and/or weekends.
• Physical clearance for reaching, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and grasping, have full range of motion, ability to lift 50 lbs.; need to lift and transfer participants; maintain current First Aid and CPR.

Universal Requirements

Pre employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs.