Licensed Practical-Vocational Nurse (Mental Health)

Licensed Practical Nurse

This Practical Nurse position is located in the Nursing Service (Mental Health) at the Bedford VA Healthcare Medical Center, in Bedford, Massachusetts. This announcement is intended to fill multiple vacancies throughout the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford, MA. Available shifts could be days, evenings, nights, or include weekends/holidays to cover shortages or high patient volume. Shift changes will be considered based on patient and facility needs. Under the direct supervision of the RN, MD, DO, NP or PA the Practical Nurse is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients. He/she recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. He/she considers the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patients, demonstrates competence, and correctly provides appropriate care for that age group or groups.

Major Duties in addition to basic Practical Nurse duties include, but are not limited to:

• Collects data and collaborates in the assessment of the health status of a patient.
• Implements aspects of the plan of care as delegated.
• Participates in the evaluation of patient responses to interventions.
• Participates in health teaching and counseling to promote, attain, and maintain the optimum health level of patients, as delegated.
• Recognizes, reports and records promptly all changes in physical condition and behavior of patients.
• Completes routine documentation of results of care and treatment according to policy, guidelines, instructions, (e.g. flow sheets) utilizing the electronic record and information network.
• Differentiates between emergent and non-emergent conditions. Reports promptly and accurately records critical/emergency situations.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Demonstrates a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO.
• Technically efficient 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.
• Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment assisted care and patient/family education.
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex, diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures.
• Inpatient Units - Part of being an employee with the Bedford VA includes taking care of all of the veterans across the hospital. All inpatient units include Mental Health, Acute Psychiatric, Long Term Psychiatric, Residential, Long Term Care, Short Term Care, Hospice, Rehabilitation, and Dementia. All staff are required and may have to float to support the needs of the inpatient units.

Work Schedule: Multiple tours available; to be discussed at interview and determined on selection.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Functional Statement #: F1966, F1967, F1968, F1969

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

• This position is covered by a special rate.
• Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

US Department of Veterans Affairs