RN/LPN/NURSE- Mental Health - NIGHT SHIFT

This Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct physical and emotional care to Veterans in the Mental Health Outpatient Clinic at the Saint Cloud VA Medical Center. The role supports patient self‑management – delivers education – performs focused assessments – and assists the care team under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or Provider.

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

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. 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

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

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

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

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 (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

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

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

Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills – sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice

Preferred Experience: Mental Health and Telehealth preferred not required

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS‑3 to GS‑6.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional; Participants must sign a three‑year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program

Duties include but are not limited to: Provide nursing care such as rooming patients – obtaining vital signs – completing clinical reminders – and documenting medication reconciliation

Perform specimen collection – breathalyzer use – labeling – and storage of laboratory samples

Administer medications – including immunizations and injections – and monitor for variances

Conduct patient‑focused assessments and report findings to the Registered Nurse – Provider – or clinician

Maintain clean and safe patient care areas – restock supplies – and complete equipment checks

Participate in care team meetings – nursing reports – and unit or facility committees

Use therapeutic communication with Veterans and families and provide courteous customer service

Collaborate with telehealth and clinic staff and assist with telehealth duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Full‑time – Monday‑Friday – 8:00am – 4:30pm

Weekend and holidays may be required

Additional Pay: Shift Differential – 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6pm and 6am

Weekend Premium – 25% of basic pay for work performed between the hours of midnight Friday and midnight Sunday

Holiday Pay – 2 times basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled – non‑overtime work on a designated holiday

Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Relocation Assistance: Not Authorized

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

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

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) – Not Authorized

This position requires visual acuity – keen hearing – clear and distinctive speech – and manual dexterity