This Vacancy is located in the Nursing Department of Eastern Louisiana Mental Hospital System in Jackson, LA (East Feliciana Parish). ELMHS is the largest 24-hour, multi-site, state psychiatric complex, comprised of residential, outpatient and inpatient services. 

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

35% Assist Registered Nurse in assessment of patients. Takes vital signs as indicated prior to medications, assesses patient behaviors and notifies registered nurse of patient’s conditions. Assesses and documents effectiveness/non-effectiveness of patient medications/treatments and keeps Registered Nurse informed. Assist medical doctor as needed and follows up on all orders by medical doctor. Administers and charts medications/treatments. Checks and counts all medication received from pharmacy to assure accuracy.

15% Completes lab slips and immunization flow sheet and distributes copies of lab slips appropriately. Conducts and documents patient participation in therapeutic groups.

10% Reports dangerous or inappropriate patient or staff behaviors to nurse supervisor. Gives thorough verbal and written report of ward occurrences and patients’ conditions at change of shift report.

10% Transcribes doctors’ orders timely and accurately. Charts patient’s behaviors in notes as per policy and procedure and reports conditions of patients to Registered Nurse. Ensures lab, x-ray, EEG, EKG, dental, etc. are done timely and documentation is made in progress notes as to completion/delays in tests ordered

10% attends monthly nurses’ meetings. Reads manuals and memos to maintain current knowledge of policies and procedures. Attends in-service programs to maintain and update knowledge and skills.

8% serves as extension of the registered nurse for gathering data for quality assurance purposes. Indirect supervision of Psychiatric Aides and Correction Guard Therapeutic (CGTs) in performance of their duties and serves as a resource person. Monitor/Instruct lower level positions in the following areas:

• Evaluate vital signs techniques annually to ensure competency.
• Monitor urine drug screen chain of custody forms for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist CGTs in directing and monitoring staff and patient’s behavior during activities

5% Assists Registered Nurse in coordinating activities between disciplines

5% Completes medication discrepancy reports for all noted discrepancies and submits form to Registered Nurse

2% Completes annual competencies in a timely manner and provides the RNSA with documentation prior to PPRs reviews. Patient level interpretation and teaching

Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor/designee to maintain continuity and quality, accreditation and licensure requirements

Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor, but not listed, for the smooth operation of the unit/building and/or the facility

Adheres to all rules. Regulations, policies, procedures of LDH, OBH, Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System, Civil Service, Nursing and La State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners

Possess a valid license to practice as a Practical Nurse/Licensed in the State of Louisiana with one years’ experience

Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor/designee to maintain continuity and quality, accreditation and licensure requirements 

Perform all other duties assigned by a supervisor, but not listed, for the smooth operation of the unit/building and/or the facility

Adheres to all rules, regulations, policies and procedures of LDH, OBH, Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System, Civil Services, Nursing and LA State Board of Practical Nurse examiners

Essential Functions

• Ability to verbally communicate with patients, peers or other professionals.
• Ability to read, write, calculate, and communicate in writing
• Ability to visually assess, evaluate, implement, and document patient care. (may require extended sitting)
• Ability to reach, bend, stretch, and stoop
• Ability to work under stressful conditions without losing composure
• Ability to lift 30 pounds of equipment and supplies
• Ability to move from ward to ward quickly in emergency situation (May require extended running or walking)
• Ability to access multi-story building via stairs 
• Ability to respond to Medical Code in less than 5 minutes (May require extended running or walking)
• Ability to initiate and perform CPR
• Ability to push medication carts to wards/units
• Ability to manipulate, comprehend, and interpret information provided by medical devices.
• Ability to work overtime as required
• Ability to think analytically and make decisions and adjust to change
• Ability to distinguish colors
• Ability to remember details 

Classified WAE rate of pay: $20.25

This position will be filled as an LPN 1

This position will be filled as a temporary, part-time Classified WAE appointment and is not to exceed 1,100 hours in a 12-month period. 

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.  

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
 
*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*
 
 It is recommended that you apply for all job titles that you are interested in.
 
Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected. However, there is no guarantee that everybody that applies to this posting will be interviewed.
 
For further information about this vacancy, please contact:

Leigh Moore
ELMHS-HR@LA.GOV
 225-634-0680