Licensed Practical Nurse

<p>The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves the Mental Health Service and functions as a member of the nursing and treatment teams in planning and implementing a full range of practical nursing care for veterans.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides complex age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients or outpatients with physical, mental, behavioral, or psychosocial needs, according to assignment and training. Performance of duties requires exceptional knowledge, experience and skill for concentrated effort and self-motivation to carry out patient care assignments which involve performing non-standard and specialized practical nursing activities for critically ill psychiatric, medical and/or geriatric patients in Community Living Center, inpatient and outpatient areas. Duties of the LPN include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition, to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, and to accurately report and record significant patient information. Demonstrates ability to observe, identify, and respond to the patient's needs for nursing, medication, and equipment-assisted care, and to recognize deviations from normal. In modifying care plans, the LPN considers physical, emotional, and social factors. Practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations. Demonstrated ability to use this knowledge in working effectively with patients, families, and other staff members. Assists with data collection for outpatients and new admissions. Observes, reports and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition. Actively contributes to nursing and/or interdisciplinary team conferences, exchanging information about patient needs and condition, and assists in the nursing management of patients with complex problems. Provides input into the development, implementation and evaluation of the Nursing Care Plan and/or the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care. Implements established care plans. Evaluates patient's progress based on observed data. Recommends modification to the care and/or treatment plan as needed. Recognizes progress or subtle changes in the patient's behavior and/or physical condition, initiates appropriate action, reports actions to the RN and in the medical record. Uses identified learning needs to provide patient teaching and documents teaching in the medical record. The LPN is able to identify/apply age specific considerations, e.g., the geriatric population's proneness to visual or hearing impairment. Teaching may include diabetic self-care, activities of daily living, coughing, deep breathing, suctioning and tracheostomy care, self-administration of medication and additional procedures as direct by the registered nurse. Performs such diagnostic procedures such as obtaining vital signs, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, I&O, heights, weights, fingerstick blood sugars, breathalyzer, and EKGs. Recognizes deviations from normal. Documents and reports results to the registered nurse and/or physician. Transcribes doctor's orders as per Medical Center policies and procedures (specific units). Administers oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications. Administers immunizations independently upon completion of competency. Observes, reports, and documents patient's response to medication including adverse reactions and possible medication errors. Work Schedule: 12hr shifts, rotating weekends, holidays, shifts, as needed. Subject to change based on the needs of the service. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 00641F - 00642F - 00643F - 00644F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>(Continued from above) GS-6, Licensed Practical Nurse 8. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. 9. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Minimum of one year of LPN experience Inpatient or Outpatient clinic experience The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.