Skip to content
Nursing Mastery
All jobs

LVN

Posted Aug 13

Unit
Psych

What the listing says

Role

Term
Per Diem
Setting
Behavioral Health
Accepts
LVN

Ratio not posted. Ask in the interview.

Pay

Against the board
This role$34/hr
nursing in California$49/hr

The median for nursing in California is $49/hr, across 1922 postings. It covers every nursing role in the state, so it is a bearing, not a like-for-like comparison.

About this role

Statement of Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Nursing Supervisor/Program Director, the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) assesses clients and provides nursing care (including but not limited to client care coordination, medication services, patient education, etc.) in accordance with physicians’ orders and treatment objectives and as instructed by supervisor.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

Report and record any changes observed in client condition or behavior, including unusual incidents. Identify, report, and assist with the management of emergencies.

Read the full posting

Complete nursing assessment, and/or other intake/assessment tools and documentation as indicated (e.g., withdrawal screeners, C-SSRS, etc.)

Take and record accurate vital signs and perform toxicology testing. Chart routine information (e.g., vital signs, client progress, daily activities, etc.). Support clients with health and hygiene needs as indicated per individual plan of care.

Make rounds every 30 minutes for 72 hours on withdrawal management clients, document and record withdrawal symptoms.

Monitor and document client self-administration of medications. Facilitate doctor’s orders including injectables (e.g., Vivitrol, etc.). For nurses assigned to CDRH unit, administer and document medication orders to medication administration records.

Monitor and document client self-administration of PRN and other medications as ordered by physician. For nurses assigned to CDRH unit, administer and document medication orders to medication administration records.

Interact with clients to support their participation in the program. Facilitate and document services including but not limited to educational sessions or other groups, care coordination services, daily activity notes, and discharge services for clients.

Administer anti-overdose medications as needed and support client access to/and education regarding anti-overdose medications, and document accordingly.

Carry out appropriate interventions, including responding to emergencies and performing CPR and/or first aid, and document accordingly. Assist in event of client crisis, and document accordingly.

Conduct medication audits and log and destroy outdated medications per policy.

Assist with screening, orientation, admission, transfer, and discharge of clients. Handle clients’ personal belongings as directed.

Provide clerical support as directed by nursing staff and/or supervisors. Keep charts in order with all forms properly identified, uploaded, input, etc.

Follow directions of supervisors, physicians, mid-level practitioners, and registered nurses.

Observe universal precautions, including correct handling of bloodborne pathogens, storage of lab specimens, and disposal of infectious wastes.

Work as a member of the treatment team, especially in carrying out the client's plan of care.

Maintain professional boundaries and standards. Treat clients with respect, care, and concern. Comply with confidentiality requirements at all times. Maintain health and safety standards of facility.

Recognize personal biases working within diverse populations. Maintain cultural sensitivity at all times.

Maintain familiarity with BHS policies and procedures and other applicable regulations; perform job duties accordingly. Represent BHS well in all contacts.

May order inventory, and/or stock supplies in the unit.

Courteously answer phones, appropriately directing calls and taking messages. Make phone calls for clients as approved by lead nurse and/or supervisor.

Attend meetings and trainings, and participate in committees as assigned. Support with educational training for program as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

LVN Competencies and Performance Expectations

All LVN’s are expected to hold the below competencies

Ability to complete the above major tasks, duties and responsibilities.

Ability to demonstrate professional judgment and decision-making.

Ability to complete PPD screening, perform skin checks, etc.

Ability to effectively document in required note structures (e.g., SOAP, GIRP, etc.).

Ability to demonstrate familiarity of medication common for persons with substance use disorder.

Ability to recognize the symptoms and demonstrate knowledge of appropriate treatment associated with substance use disorder and detoxification.

Ability to communicate effectively with all involved parties, both verbally and written.

Ability to recognize the symptoms and impact of co-occurring conditions, including mental and medical health conditions.

Ability to recognize personal biases when working with diverse populations and maintain cultural sensitivity at all times.

Ability to complete identify and respond appropriately to a crisis. Demonstrate appropriate techniques for interventions, including but not limited to medical emergencies, overdose, AMA, behavioral challenges, suicide threats, safety codes, contraband protocol, etc.

Ability to Adhere to Professional Standards.

Prerequisite Qualifications

The following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position. Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs. CPR/BLS/AED/First Aid certification, maintain in good standing. Medication Management and Overdose Prevention training required within 30 days of employment.

Obtain NPI number, EMR system enrollment within 30 days of employment. Annual TB, maintain in good standing.

High school diploma or equivalency. LVN license required, maintain in good standing at all times. Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance, if driving a personal/company vehicle on BHS business.

Ability to operate required computer programs for position, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, electronic timekeeping system, electronic learning management system, upon hire or demonstrated competency developed within 90 days of employment.

Vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for the performance of job duties. Able to sit at a desk, use a keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties. Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff.

Sourced from Behavioral Health Services California’s careers page.

Requirements

  • LVN
  • Driver's License

Place

City
Los Angeles, California
Median rent
$1,933/mo

rent and tenant-paid utilities · Census ACS 2024

Local household income
$81,939/yr

all local households, not nurse pay · Census ACS 2024

Metro price level
14% above the national average

Los Angeles area index 113.6, where 100 is the national average.

Los Angeles blends year-round sunshine, Pacific coastline, and major healthcare systems from Westside hospitals to Downtown medical centers. Nurses relocating here find diverse neighborhoods stretching from beach communities like Santa Monica to inland valleys. Expect car culture, outdoor living, and a sprawling metropolis where hiking trails and entertainment venues sit near clinical opportunities.

Map showing the location of Los Angeles, CA
Approximate location in Los Angeles, CA. · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap· Open the live map

Cost figures from U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities.

How this role fits you

Add your preferences

Choose your specialty, travel preference, and license stage to see how this role fits.

The work you want

Where you'd go

Where you are

About the employer

Behavioral Health Services California logo
Behavioral Health Services California
Hiring organization

The record does not spell out unit texture, ratios, scheduling, or a posted pay range, so those details have to come from the hiring team or the specific job posting in front of you. What you can plan around is…

On your path

Psychiatric is open from year one. Behavioral health spans inpatient, emergency, and community settings.

Worth asking

The posting doesn’t answer these. Good ones to ask a recruiter or in the interview.

  • Can you walk me through base pay range and differentials?
  • What should I expect for shifts, weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
  • What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Open the full posting report
Help improve this pageShare what it’s like, leave a heads-up, or ask about this posting.
What would you like to do?
Add ratings or a short headline

A person reviews every submission before anything changes.