Licensed Vocational Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health

Summary Inpatient Mental Health Nursing Unit 2D 200/300. The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. 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 English Language Proficiency Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) 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 Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006 Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website Exceptions 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 will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986 and for their future personnel actions under this authority The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school See paragraph 4 - section C 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 May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Grade Determinations: GS-3: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements [LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. - medication administration) however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved.] GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN OR - Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital - outpatient clinic - nursing home - or other supervised medical - nursing - or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures OR - Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques GS-5: Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care - [incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review GS-6: Experience 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 Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures 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 the 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 - cultural - spiritual - 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. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties are but not limited to: Veteran Care: The LVN is expected to be able to function as a member of the nursing care team providing safe - competent - compassionate care in a timely manner Provides care with minimal RN supervision to a select group of patients Performs and documents focused assessments (i.e pain assessment - fall risk assessment) and reports abnormal findings to the RN team leader - or charge nurse Performs Accu-Check glucoscreen - takes and records vital signs and reports all significant deviations to the RN and/or health care provider immediately Takes appropriate action as directed Evaluates the nutritional needs for patients - including feeding assistance - and performs as necessary Provides fluid needs and administers feeding by nasogastric - gastrostomy - jejunostomy - and enteral tubes Actively participates in interdisciplinary team planning and patient care meetings Utilizes problem-solving process when patient problems arise Informs RN about data obtained pertaining to the problem Offers solutions to problems and offers feedback to ancillary members emphasizing ways to improve performance Accepts and mentors non-RN staff and student nurses Independently establishes priorities and varies the sequence of nursing care based on the patient's condition and/or response to treatment in order to accomplish assigned tasks by the end of the tour with limited supervision Medical Administration: The LVN is expected to be able to administer veteran medications utilizing the five rights - and to appropriately document the medication administration Demonstrates proficiency in utilizing the Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) scanner to administer medications to a group of patients safely and efficiently Is able to serve as a preceptor for other LVNs - and can instruct others in the appropriate use of BCMA for medication administration Veteran Safety: The LVN is expected to adhere to work with the members of the nursing care team to assure veteran safety Is able to verbalize understanding of the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) and the means by which VANTHCS is assuring that these goals are met Operates and is familiar with equipment utilized for physiological monitoring - ventilation - patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps - pulse oximeter - and blood/fluid warmers if assigned in areas where in use Identifies documents and reports fall risk - confused/wandering patients to all staff Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards and takes appropriate action to address the problem Documentation/Communication/Hand-Off: Accurately documents all critical finding in the CPRS medical record Demonstrates ability to perform and document focused assessments utilizing established CPRS templates Demonstrates the ability to clearly communicate the patients' care needs during hand - off Coordinates team planning - makes assignments for non-RN team members and follows for accomplishment of delegated assignments Work Schedule: 12 HR Shifts - evenings - 1930-0800 May be required to work other shifts - be on call - work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require Should operational needs dictate - candidates must be willing to work within other units (including community based outpatient clinics - for example) to assist and support continuation of the provision of care/services Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 #: 52824-F - 52825-F - 52826-F - 52827-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Diversity Group