LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE I

EXAM NUMBER:

PH5104C

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

We welcome applications from anyone!

FIRST DAY OF FILING:

We will be accepting online applications from Friday, October 30, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. (PT) - Continuous.

We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

CHECK OUT OUR OUTSTANDING BENEFITS!

We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country, including diverse healthcare choices, and strong retirement plans. For more information about the outstanding benefits offered by Los Angeles County, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/

ABOUT THIS POSITION: 

We are pursuing qualified candidates to fill Licensed Vocational Nurse I positions within the Department of Public Health. This position performs vocational nursing duties in a hospital inpatient care unit.

For information about the specific classification standards for this position, please visit the following link: Licensed Vocational Nurse I

What will I do as a Licensed Vocational Nurse I?

• Administers medications by injection, orally, and other pre-determined methods with the exception of research drugs as determined by the Medical Department.
• Checks prescribed dosages against specified limits.
• Observes and reports adverse reaction to medications.
• Recognizes the need for emergency care; initiates life saving action in emergencies and alerts the nurse-in-charge or physician.
• Sets up, operates and monitors electronic and/or mechanical equipment such as croupettes, oxygen therapy and suctioning equipment.
• Monitors the functioning of intravenous apparatus and cardioscopes. 
• Provides bedside care such as maintaining personal hygiene, providing comfort and safety, performing urgent housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean and safe environment and taking measures to prevent pressure sores and other infirmities endemic to bedridden patients.
• Measures and records vital signs; records bed care procedures, treatments, indications and nourishment provided and output.
• Observes and reports on progress of patients. 
• Obtains and provides information on patients at change of shift briefings with nursing personnel and in contacts with doctors.
• Reports on significant incidents involving nursing personnel, patients and others.
• Gives eye and ear irrigations and instillations.
• Cleans, debrides, medicates and applies dressings to wounds, using sterile technique.
• Observes patients for manifest signs of anxiety stress or indications of change in emotional state or behavior, makes chart notations and informs a registered nurse of problem conditions.
• Provides emotional support to the patient, displaying empathy and interest in the patient's progress, being aware of and encouraging patient's special aptitudes for the patient's rehabilitation.
• Interacts in prescribed fashion with psychiatric patients on a one-to-one basis on the ward or while participating in activities off the ward by encouraging socialization and motivating and reassuring patients in a psychiatric setting.
• Follows the orders of the therapist in structuring discussions to elicit appropriate patient responses and participates in group therapy sessions led by a professional staff member by interacting with patients in ways designed to develop trust and clarification of problems.
• Teaches isolation technique to patients and visitors.
• Prevents spread of infection by using correct sterile technique.
• Lays out appropriate instruments and supplies and assists the physician in performing medical and surgical procedures.
• In some specialized jobs performs one of the following assignments: Monitors the operation of specialized equipment set up by a physician or nurse-in-charge such as renal dialysis machines, regulating venous and dialysate pressure from verbal instructions, monitoring gauges and alerting the nurse-in-charge when readings and observations of the patient indicate an abnormal condition. 
• Performs specialized procedures such as peritoneal dialysis, adding prescribed medication in the dialysate solution, introducing and draining the solution in accordance with precise procedures, as needed.
• In a labor and delivery unit, prepares the expectant mother for delivery by shaving and disinfecting the abdominal area. Monitors vital signs and contractions, contacting the physician when these come within a specified range. 
• Sets up and strips down the delivery room before and after delivery, wiping all equipment and mopping the floor with disinfectant. 
• Serves as circulating nurse during normal deliveries, observing for breaks in aseptic technique and assisting the physician outside the sterile field.
• Performs duties of Nursing Attendants as an incident to work described above, as needed.

REQUIREMENT TO QUALIFY:

A license to practice as a Vocational Nurse issued by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.* 

PHYSICAL CLASS:

3 – Moderate: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:

*Please ensure the License and Certificate Section of the application is completed for the Vocational Nursing License. Provide the title of your required license and certifications, number, date of issue, date of expiration and the name of the issuing agency as specified in the requirements on your application at the time of filing or e-mail the information to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing.

• The license is required to be current and valid without limitations or restrictions.
• We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Credit will be given to applicants who possess the following desirable qualifications:

• Experience providing patient care in a healthcare setting such as in hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, or specialized outpatient service centers etc.
• A current certification in accordance with American Heart Association's Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (CPR & AED) Program.**
  • **Applicants must attach a legible photocopy of their current/unexpired BLS certification to their application at the time of filing or email a copy within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing your application to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov.

EXAMINATION CONTENT:

This assessment type will evaluate the training and experience you list on a questionnaire and assign a score based on a standardized scoring system.

This part of the assessment is worth 100% of your total score and assesses: Requirements and Desirable Qualifications. 

Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the list.

Passing this examination and being added to the Eligible List does not guarantee an offer of employment.

ELIGIBILITY & VACANCY INFORMATION:

Candidates who passed the assessment are placed on the Eligible List in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. We will use this Eligible List to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Health as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT:

Any, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:

HOW TO APPLY:

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information on your application and any attachments will result in refusal of application, rescission of appointment, or restriction of application to future recruitments.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Check the website for updated information at https://lacountylibrary.org. 

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

DO NOT SHARE USER ID AND PASSWORD:

All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI): 

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the in equalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Department Contact Name: DPH Examinations and Recruitment Unit

Department Contact Phone: (213) 684-8726

Department Contact E-mail: HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov

Exam Number: PH5104C

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

ADA Coordinator Phone: (844) 914-1006

Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077