Licensed Vocational Nurse II

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

Performs highly complex vocational nursing work.  Provides for the care, treatment, and general welfare of individuals residing at the State Hospital (SH) who have complex mental health, behavioral, and medical diagnosis. Performs basic and complex routine and non-routine nursing tasks to promote the health of the individuals within the assigned areas and assigned shift. Collects specimens for lab work and performs health screenings.   Instructs psychiatric nursing assistants and other staff on how to provide service and care that support the individual’s needs.  Performs technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations. Keeps informed of and follows all agency, SH, and hospital policies and procedures.  Provides direction and assists with on-the-job training to others such as newly hired LVNs and direct care staff.  Assists Registered Nurses (RNs) with implementation of protocols, procedures, and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals.  Works under general supervision of an RN with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Administers medications and treatments orally, rectally, internally, or by injection. Assists other medical staff, such as Registered Nurses (RNs), Physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants, in examining and caring for patients.  Makes rounds as needed and works in other locations at the hospital as needed. Demonstrates competency in performing complex technical nursing tasks and procedures in accordance with HHSC, hospital and state regulations. Trains/instructs new LVN staff to perform nursing functions at the hospital, including acclimating them to the individuals, and describing their needs and preferences.

Performs complex and technical nursing procedures according to facility and state regulations such as wound care, breathing treatments. Collects specimens for laboratory examination and conducts appropriate screening tests when requested by lab personnel.

Monitors individuals’ weight, diet, meals, and vital signs.  Monitors individuals’ health status after medication administration, treatments and procedures.  Instructs psychiatric nursing assistants on how to monitor individuals after a treatment or procedure.

Timely and accurately documents and reports pertinent treatments and observations in the individual’s medical record (electronic health record or paper chart) in accordance with hospital procedures and protocols. Recognize symptoms of illness and reports accurately to RN and/or Primary Care Provider.  

Fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and integration. Communicates pertinent information orally and in writing to other team members, such as the RN, in order to ensure the treatment team has the best information possible to make decisions.

Serves as a resource/mentor for new LVNs.  Assists the RN Supervisor with on-the-job nursing instruction and training of other new LVNs.  

Assists RNs with implementation of protocols, procedures, and programs to improve overall health and safety of staff and individuals.  Assists the Infection Control Nurse by implementing measures that prevent the spread of disease, assists in developing and implementing quality assurance programs, and assists in the implementation of therapeutic nursing programs.  Collects data for RN/Primary Care Provider. 

Provides information and education to individuals, in accordance with their recovery plan, when performing procedures and treatments such as explaining the name and purpose of a particular medication and explaining why the individuals is taking the medication. 

Ensures that supplies are available, in advance, to provide the required procedure or treatment.  Takes inventory and ensures the unit is properly stocked.  Orders supplies through appropriate channels when they are needed.  

Responds to emergency situations to ensure safety of individuals. Follows safety and infection control procedures of the hospital.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of nursing care standards, nursing procedures and techniques, and of the principles and processes used in providing appropriate patient care.

Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., CPR, and ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations. 

Skills in using reasoning to identify problems and in considering appropriate resolution of situations. 

Skill in the operation of computers and applicable computer software. 

Skill in the care and treatment of patients.

Ability to provide patient care to a wide variety of individuals with complex medical, mental health, and/or behavioral health issues.

Ability to prepare and maintain records and to use an electronic health record system once trained.

Ability to communicate effectively and to instruct others.  

Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members.  

Must maintain current CPR certification.  Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and TIPS. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Licensed to practice as a licensed vocation nurse in the state of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.

If transporting patients, must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from a LVN program. 

Prior employment experience as an LVN is required; six (6) months is preferred.  

Experience working or volunteering directly with persons with mental illness preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form