Licensed Vocational Nurse / Licensed Psychiatric Technician Auburn, California

Description

• Provide direct nursing care and ongoing monitoring of residents’ physical and mental health status across varying levels of supervision and functional independence.
• Administer medications and monitor residents for side effects, effectiveness, and changes in condition, documenting all observations accurately.
• Assist residents with activities of daily living (ADLs) as indicated by individual need, ranging from hands-on support for conserved residents to queueing, prompting, and monitoring for more independent residents.
• Implement individualized service plans in collaboration with the treatment team, ensuring plans reflect residents’ legal status, cognitive capacity, and level of independence.
• Monitor residents for changes in behavior, mood, or physical condition and report concerns promptly to appropriate clinical staff.
• Support residents in managing psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, mood instability, psychosis, or behavioral challenges.
• Encourage skill-building, recovery goals, and self-direction appropriate to each resident’s level of independence.
• Observe and report early warning signs of decompensation or emotional distress and assist with implementing preventative or supportive interventions.
• Utilize trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approaches when interacting with residents.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to behavioral incidents or crises involving both conserved and voluntary residents, using approved de-escalation techniques and safety protocols.
• Assist residents in identifying triggers and utilizing coping strategies to reduce the risk of escalation.
• Assist with emergency interventions as authorized by physician orders and facility policy, while prioritizing de-escalation and least restrictive alternatives.
• Document and report incidents, safety concerns, or unusual occurrences in accordance with facility policies and regulatory requirements.
• Work collaboratively with members of the interdisciplinary team, including program leadership, behavioral health team, and external providers, as applicable, to support coordinated and resident-centered care.
• Participate in care coordination and treatment planning meetings as assigned.
• Communicate effectively with residents, families or conservators (as appropriate), and team members to support continuity of care and resident progress.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete nursing documentation, including medication administration records, progress notes, and shift reports.
• Ensure documentation complies with Title 22 requirements, residents’ rights regulations, and facility policies.
• Administer medications as prescribed, including oral, topical, and intramuscular (IM) medications, in accordance with physician orders, licensing regulations, and facility policies and procedures.
• Monitor medication compliance and promptly report medication errors, refusals, or adverse reactions per policy.
• Provide basic health education to residents related to medications, wellness, and self-care.
• Advocate for resident needs within the interdisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive, respectful, and individualized care.

• Knowledge of nursing practices and procedures applicable to adult residential and behavioral health settings.
• Knowledge of applicable behavioral health laws, regulations, and residents’ rights, including Title 22 requirements and LPS conservatorship considerations preferred.
• Understanding of common psychiatric diagnoses, treatment approaches, and psychotropic medications preferred.
• Knowledge of and ability to safely administer IM medications when appropriately trained and authorized, including understanding indications, contraindications, and post-administration monitoring requirements.
• Ability to balance resident safety with promotion of independence and self-determination.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage residents and collaborate with team members.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective during behavioral crises or high-stress situations.
• Strong documentation skills, including use of electronic medical records.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse populations.
• Ability to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Ability to make independent clinical decisions within scope of practice.
• Willingness to seek out and incorporate new methods and best practices into nursing care.