Practical Nurse

Summary

The Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center is seeking a dedicated Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to join our Mental Health Service team. In this role - you will provide high-quality nursing care to Veterans - ensuring a safe and therapeutic environment. The LPN performs assigned duties that promote quality health care - exceptional customer service - and supports the mission of serving those who served our country.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Exceptions may include: 1) Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure
• 2) VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - or under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• & for their future personnel actions under this authority
• 3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• Note: must submit transcript with application showing confer date
• Licensure: Full - active - current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or District of Columbia
• An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 of this part
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-06: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions
• to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information
• Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a patient's needs for care including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - socio-economic - and age-related factors
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations - and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members - and other staff
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a mental health setting
• Demonstrated competency in conducting behavioral assessments
• Experience administering long-acting psychotropic injections
• Knowledge and skills in suicide-risk observation - monitoring - and safety protocols
• Proficiency in verbal de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention
• Experience participating in interdisciplinary treatment planning
• Ability to provide patient education tailored to individual treatment needs
• Experience supporting a therapeutic milieu for individuals with PTSD - Substance Use Disorders (SUD) - and residents in residential treatment programs
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Duties

• The LPN will report to the Nursing - Mental Health Nurse Manager or designee
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Major duties include but are not limited to: Technically proficient in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care including medication equipment-assisted care and (patient/family education)
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognized and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors
• Prepares and administer prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medication/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Established constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills - Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other inter/external customers
• Supports the patient and/or family members/significant others in the integration of the patient care plan toward achievement of discharge objectives
• Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures - which include preparing the patient - patient education - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing specimens - preparing and passing instruments - and monitoring the patient's condition
• Provide therapeutic - rehabilitative - and preventive care of patients such as reinforcement and initiation of patient and family education with minimal supervision
• Properly prepare and administer medications with minimal supervision as well as be able to recognize contradictions and to assess the effectiveness of medications given
• Recognizes the need for and initiates action in emergencies - i.e. - cardiac/respiratory arrest - seizures - and/or assaultive behavior
• Assist the physician and/or nurse with therapeutic or diagnostic procedures - including skin biopsies - joint aspirations - phlebotomies - pap smears - pelvic examinations - minor eye surgeries - and minor GU procedures
• Obtains and arranges necessary equipment
• Correctly positions the patient - provides information - and reassurance to the patient
• Maintains precise adherence to basic principles of asepsis - safety - and universal precautions to provide a safe environment for patients - families - and employees
• Recognize emergency situations - cardio-pulmonary arrest - and initiate CPR or appropriate action
• Work Schedule: Variable Work Schedule
• Schedule may vary based on patient care needs and operational requirements
• More information will be provided during interview process
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 30181F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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