UC San Diego Health is a Magnet-designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas, which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements, and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

The UC San Diego Alpha Clinic is the cell and gene therapy arm of the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center and specializes in early phase, first-in-human trials. The Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center is devoted to accelerating the translation of all types of stem cell research to safe and effective therapies. It attracts patients, funding agencies and study sponsors to participate in, support, and accelerate novel stem cell clinical trials and ancillary studies for a range of difficult diseases. The Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center has expanded to be one of six centers under the umbrella of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute.

Under supervision, the Senior Vocational Nurse is responsible for performing a wide variety of patient care activities. This may include prioritizing and assisting in patient phone calls, administering medications, data collection, procedures, specimen collection, patient and family education, information review and chart preparation. In addition, the Senior Vocational Nurse is responsible for performing clinical study-related procedures as dictated by the study protocol for patients participating in the clinical trials. The duties include and are not limited to central venous access blood draw and dressing change, peripheral blood draw, peripheral IV insertion, injections, procedure assistance, EKG, vital signs, and rooming patients. Serves as physician/patient liaison and patient educator. Other related duties as assigned. Job standards are to be performed at the expert level.

• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) - issued by the state of California.

• LVN license must include IV/blood withdrawal certification.

• BART or BLS at time of hire with commitment to get BART w/in 6 months of hire date

• Minimum of two years of LVN experience.

• Demonstrate knowledge and skill to perform basic nursing techniques.

• Knowledge and skill in performing nursing procedures, specimen collection and testing.

• Knowledge of universal precautions and proper use of body mechanics.

• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize assignments and maintain work flow and work productively in meeting critical deadlines with constantly changing priorities and interruptions.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills, using tact and diplomacy in order to interact effectively with all level of professional provider, staff, and a diversity of patients. Skill in appropriate telephone techniques.

• Clinical and research settings experience.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• Hours are Monday-Friday, variable, 8 hours, days. Shifts will be 730-4. No weekends or holidays required.