Licensed Practical Nurse, Unit 131-2C, Community Living Center (Long Term Care)

Quality Care Our Heroes Deserve

Now is the time to take your career to the next level and become part of the high-caliber talent that is VA. Experience what 250,000 current VA employees already have state-of-the-art practice settings, access to the latest technology, a multi-disciplinary team environment and the opportunity to provide the men and women who have bravely served this country with the finest patient care, benefits and customer satisfaction. And with VA Patient Satisfaction Scores leading the healthcare industry, you'll be joining one of the most respected facilities in the Nation.

About the Agency Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 1027295

Our Mission: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. ***Readying Warriors and Caring for Heroes*** Are you interested in a first-time opportunity? Would you like to be part of the first full integration of a Veteran's Affairs and Department of Defense/Department of the Navy facility? If so,

this may be just the challenge for you!! The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the Community Living Center (CLC) is qualified by education and experience to provide care for assigned residents and oversight of subordinate direct care staff. He/she practices under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses, and interacts on a regular and recurring basis with patients, co-workers, families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members. All LPNs must possess a basic knowledge of Long Term Care federal regulations, VHA guidelines, medical review criteria, Minimum Data Set, clinical documentation requirements, current standards of care, and compliance guidelines.

On October 1st, 2010, the North Chicago VA Medical Center integrated with the Naval Health Clinic, Great Lakes to form the Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC). The facility is located just 13 miles south of the Illinois/ Wisconsin border approximately equidistant between Chicago and Milwaukee. Offering a choice of three international airports, the excitement of the 'Big City' with the beauty of the rural countryside, there are countless activities to engage a wide variety of personal hobbies and interests. The facility itself has opened a new parking structure and a new outpatient clinical addition. Serving inpatient, outpatient, and long term care patients including the unique populations of veterans, eligible military beneficiaries and their family members, the Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center has a unique mission unlike any other facility in the United States.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

One(1) full-time position available. Work Hours: PM/Evening Shift (1530-2400) with rotation and weekends. Rotation implies that the PM/Evening Shift will be your primary shift. However, in the event of unexpected circumstances, you may be required to work other shifts to meet the mission of the unit and organization.

The CLC LPN functions as a contributing member of the interdisciplinary team and strives to maintain tactful, respectful relationships with others. The LPN responds to individual healthcare needs along the illness and care continuum for the residents within the Community Living Center. The care goals are to center services around the resident, foster resident independence to their highest functional capacity, and maximize efficient and cost-effective use of health care resources. The LPN successfully and consistently develops independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision, but within the professional scope of practice), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of CLC Policy, Procedures and Practice.

Primary Skills and Duties a. Demonstrates nursing skills and procedures in accordance with Standards of Practice, Standards of Care, and policies/procedures. b. Plans, organizes and prioritizes assigned client workload. c. Provides timely input into planning, implementing, and evaluating the plan of care; modifies the patients plan of care, as indicated, in collaboration with the RN. d. Uses sound judgment in planning and intervening according to the performance standards; collects and reports pertinent clinical information to the appropriate RN or provider; conveys essential patient information to members of the health care team. e. Participates in developing, implementing, and documenting the client/family/caregiver educational plan. f. Demonstrates skills sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems in multiple healthcare settings including assessment of resources related to interdisciplinary planning. g. Maintains expertise in current clinical practice of infection control and Long Term care issues. h. Observes Safe Patient Handling techniques when working with patient equipment. i. Serves on FHCC councils, task forces and work groups to plan/implement/enhance Community Living Center programs. j. Utilizes appropriate computer programs to include, but not limited to, Microsoft Word/Excel/Power Point/Outlook, Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), patient appointment and consults. k. Understands the principles of cultural transformation. l. Role models and is a mentor by orienting new staff and students.

Medication Administration a. Administers and documents medication, following policies and procedures. b. Observes, reports and records actual, potential, and/or adverse drug interactions/reactions in a timely manner. c. Maintains technical competency regarding medication administration. d. Documents patient education of medication. Performance Improvement/Education a. Participates in data collection when assigned. b. Develops innovation, or participates in project that adds value to services provided. c. Assists with implementation of changes in processes to improve patient care. d. Verbalizes understanding of unit based and service performance improvement activities. e. Identifies own educational needs and accepts responsibility for maintaining clinical competence and knowledge of current nursing practices. f. Participates in unit-based and organizational in-services, continuing education activities and committee/teamwork opportunities. g. Completes all mandatory annual reviews. h. Adheres to the Dress-Code policy.

*** Relocation expenses and/or recruitment incentives are NOT AUTHORIZED for this position***

Key Requirements

• U. S. Citizenship
• Must pass pre-employment examination
• English Language Proficiency required
• Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and/or Security Investigation required

Required Skills: Qualifications Required:

Basic Requirements:

Citizen of the United States (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with FHCC/VA policy). Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing - ACEN (formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission -NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. (NOTE: 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.) Current, full, active, and unrestricted license as a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Additional Requirements: 1. One (1) year of work experience as a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse OR two (2) years of Certified Nursing Assistant or Hospital Corpsman bedside direct care experience. 2. Current, active certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) by the American Heart Association.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. Note: The full performance level of this vacancy is LPN Special Rates GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of LPN Special Rates GS-3 to GS-6. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidates education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate. Information regarding the specific requirements may be found in the LPN Qualification Standards, VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13, pages II-G13-1 to II-G13-7. Here is a link to the Handbook: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements