Licensed Practical Nurse - VA Community Living Center

Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) performs nursing care within the Fargo VA Medical Center for Rehabilitation and Extended Care Integrated Clinical Community. This position is on the Community Living Center - a 38 bed long‑term care unit - serving adult and geriatric patients with a variety of physical, mental, behavioral or psychological needs by applying practical nursing knowledge and skills. 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. 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. Licensure – Active, full‑current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District of Columbia. 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: 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‑03 – 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). Work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS‑04 – 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. GS‑05 – 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 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‑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 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. Duties Initiates, performs and completes assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Serves as a preceptor in collaboration with the RN and/or provider to appropriately orientate/train less experienced LPN/LVN and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Carries out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions and uses judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizes, reports and records relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or provider for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Observes, identifies, and responds to the patient's needs for care – including medication, equipment‑assisted care, wound care, IV fluids/antibiotics, and end‑of‑life care. Serves as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. Incorporates acceptable established customer service standards into practice. Reinforces effective education to patients and/or family member in relation to disease processes, medication and/or prescribed treatment regimens after collaboration with RN and/or health care team. Uses computerized patient records system and documents patient's response to medication and/or prescribed treatment regimens and the reporting of any unexpected change in patient's condition to RN or provider. Recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations – seeks assistance of the RN and/or provider and initiates appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Work schedule: Sunday‑Saturday – rotating day/night shifts (7:30 a.m.‑8 p.m.; 7:30 a.m.‑4 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.‑8 a.m.; or 11:30 p.m.‑8 a.m.). Rotating holidays and weekends required. Additional pay: Shift differential – 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; weekend premium – 25% of basic pay for work performed between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. Holiday pay – 2× basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled non‑overtime work on a designated holiday. Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus) may be authorized for eligible highly qualified candidates. Permanent change of station (relocation assistance) not authorized. Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Salary may increase after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA. 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 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. Childcare 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 401(k) with up to 5% contributor match by VA Insurance. VA health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework not available; virtual position not offered. Physical requirements: Requires some degree of fitness, strength, and agility. Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing, pulling, lifting arm overhead, and similar activities. Candidate will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. #J-18808-Ljbffr