Licensed Vocational Nurse

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides nursing care to individuals in behavioral health services at the Mental Health Jail Diversion Center, under the direction of a clinical supervisor (RN, APRN, PA or physician). The nurse works as part of a team in the clinical setting to ensure the individual obtains behavioral and physical health services.

II) Essential Functions

A) The LVN provides quality client care using the nursing process by to provide focused assessment and nursing interventions of all individuals assigned.

Performance Standards

i) The LVN uses holistic care with the understanding individuals served at MHMR Tarrant have both behavioral health and physical health needs considered.

ii) The LVN uses a focused assessment to collect data and information review psychiatric concerns and/or substance use disorder concerns. The LVN recognizes changes in condition and reports all of these to the clinical supervisor (RN, APRN, PA or physician).

iii) With the assistance of the RN, the LVN participates in the development and implementation a plan of care to address individual needs. Depending on the behavioral health location this may include assisting with medication management, behavioral health rehabilitation, detoxification and psychological/educational needs.

.
B) Provides nursing care and interventions to each individual assigned or seen at the program and assures that necessary documentation regarding contact is contained in the clinical record by the end of the shift or day.

Performance Standards

i) The LVN documents all contacts related to individuals served in the program. These contacts may be related to care coordination inside the program or with outside providers, such as a pharmacy or physician or hospital.

ii) The LVN consistently assesses needs of the individual in the program, prioritizes needs and implements care, accordingly, reporting any special physical, emotional or social needs to the appropriate team member (RN, APRN, PA, Physician, or other team members).

iii) The LVN monitors and records vital signs, reporting any outside of parameters to the appropriate clinical supervisor in a timely manner.

iv) The LVN gives and records injections and all other medications, according to medical orders and agency guidelines after each occurrence.

v) The LVN provides and documents health education and teaching as well as the individual’s response to information. This may include BMI, medications, substance use disorder, health maintenance, high risk behaviors and self-care.

vi) The LVN completes a nursing progress note for each contact which is done with the individual. All nursing progress notes conform to MHMR Tarrant standards as well as Medicaid Standards.

vii) The LVN acts according to the Nurse Practice Act for all written and verbal medical orders. This includes all verbal orders received from prescribers are documented as soon as they are received.


C) Works jointly with the prescribers to assure protocols are being followed 100% of the time.

Performance Standards

i) At inpatient program sites, the LVN calls the prescriber to obtain orders for all protocols, and follows the interventions in the protocol.

ii) The LVN assists the prescriber to ensure compliance with lab studies, EKGs and the procedures regarding the standard of practice for lab and EKG reviews.

iii) The LVN provides care coordination to ensure continuity of care relating to behavioral health and physical health conditions. This includes follow ups after emergency department visits and hospitalizations, as well as follow ups with primary care providers.

iv) The LVN always promotes collegiality among health care team members, through collaborative communication.

v) The LVN maintains medications for the behavioral health site. Ensuring medication inventory and counts for all medications on site is completed and documented according to protocol.


D) Works with other Health Care providers to ensure adequate medical care for individuals served.

Performance Standards

i) The LVN collaborates with other health care providers and members of the organization to solve clinical care problems each time they occur.

ii) The LVN maintains necessary supplies for implementation of agency policies and procedures on infection control, according to the Infection Control Manual.

iii) The LVN maintains medical supplies at site for medications and procedures.


E) Assists in provision of optimum physical and psychological environment for all individuals at the program site.

Performance Standards

i) The LVN responds promptly in medical and program emergency situations by carrying out appropriate interventions per unit protocol, as evidenced by successful completion of procedure, reporting of incidents to clinical supervisors and required administrative staff and completion of documentation.

ii) The LVN, in collaboration with other program site team members, anticipates and interprets an individual’s behavior to prevent crisis situations based on individual needs to assure the safety of the program site.

iii) The LVN assists other program site team members in maintenance of a safe, secure and orderly program unit environment.

iv) The LVN carries out measures to prevent exposure to and transmission of pathogens in accordance with agency standards on infection control.

v) The LVN participates in identification and monitoring of measurable quality care outcomes.


F) Maintains a professional and ethical code of behavior.

Performance Standards

i) The LVN always maintains confidentiality of all individuals served, agency or prescriber related information within and outside the program setting.

ii) The LVN contributes to the learning experience of new employees, students and other agency personnel.

iii) The LVN maintains neat and professional appearance.

iv) The LVN addresses individuals served at the site, visitors and co-workers in a pleasant and respectful manner.


G) Show evidence of continuing professional growth.

Performance Standards:

i) Nurse will complete all MHMR Tarrant agency training requirements within first 60 days of employment and will complete all annual training updates as required.

ii) In-services or continuing nursing education programs will be attended which benefit nurse’s knowledge and individuals who receive care. These must be approved by the supervisor. Will provide a copy of the attendance roster for verification.

iii) Nurse will maintain continuing nursing education units to comply with standards set by the Texas Board of Nursing, as evidenced by and proof of attendance.

iv) Evidence of all outside training as well as any upgrades in credentials will be forwarded to the Training Department and/or the employees Personnel File Human Resources.

v) Scheduled nursing meetings will be attended to facilitate networking, professional growth and information dissemination, as scheduled.


H) Performance standards are performed as applicable with MHMR’s We CARE values “We Connect People in Our Community. We Provide Access to Services. We Link People to Resources. We Empower People.”

I) Perform other job duties or responsibilities as requested or assigned.

III) Knowledge of Laws, Regulations, Policies/Procedures, Skills, and Abilities

A) MHMR Tarrant Policies and Procedures
B) Texas Nurse Practice Act Including LVN scope of practice standards
C) Texas Health and Human Services Mental Health Rules and Statutes
D) Medicaid Standards
E) DSM V
F) ICD 10
G) ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
H) Ability to work cooperatively with multidisciplinary staff
I) Familiarity with chronic mental health, integrated health and chronic disease populations and optimal care trends.
J) Knowledge of medications, their use and typical side effects.
K) Ability to distinguish between medical and nursing interventions.
L) Ability to advocate for the patient.
M) Familiarity with trends in substance use disorder treatment.

IV) Internal & External Customer Service

A) All participating pharmacies, Health Care Providers in the Community, Trinity Springs Pavilion, John Peter Smith Hospital, Various private hospitals in the community, Public Health Clinics

V) Travel

A) Up to 5 %

High School Diploma/GED

Defined Education

LVN School Graduation – with Licensed Vocational Nursing Diploma

Years’ Experience

One (1) year of experience

Defined Experience

Behavioral Health: psychiatric/mental health nursing or substance use disorder nursing