This position serves as a Charge Nurse in the Mental Health Service Line. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a very wide range of patient personal care, support diagnostic services, and chart activities on a regular and continual basis on a surgical, medical, residential, in-patient psychiatric, or long-term care ward or clinic.

Duties

Under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse (RN), the licensed practical nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the nursing team and assists the RN in the care of patients in acute, subacute, or chronic states of illness. The LPN delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Functions independently as the charge nurse for the shift, responsible for the care provided to the Mental Health (MH) Veterans by the other licensed and non-licensed nursing staff during the assigned shift. Assists the RN and other members of the IDT with providing input in the development of the care plan, based on the Veterans care needs. This includes input into completion of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment at required and various time points. Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition. Assists with discharge planning of Veterans to more appropriate level of care. Coordinates the transfer of Veterans to more appropriate levels of care dependent on acuity needs. Promotes Veteran participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence. Administers prescribed medications and performs more complex treatments in accordance with hospital policy and procedure and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Verifies physician orders in compliance with hospital policies and procedures and SOPs. Seeks clarification, as needed, for orders with medical providers, pharmacy, or other departments, as applicable. Identifies, initiates, and acts as a leader in the rehabilitation aspect of Veteran care, such as maintaining and/or improving current functional status through consideration of therapy programs such as Nursing Restorative Therapy, Resistance Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, and other Veteran therapy groups. Ensures that Veterans' recreational needs are met. Monitors suicidal and homicidal ideations of patients, tracking of I&O and hydration and initiates intervention when it is indicated. Performs rehabilitative and restorative nursing care, as applicable. Supports and enhances Veteran self-determination. Serves as a resource for Veterans and staff in addressing ethical issues that arise on the unit. Consistently follows policies, SOPS, and procedures applicable to reusable medical equipment (RME) and infection control. Monitors staff compliance with RME procedures/policies. Assigns care and required documentation to the most appropriate level of skill required for the tasks/duties. Determines priority of care needs and communicating to staff expectations of care. Conducts routine rounds throughout the shift on each Veteran. Evaluates and observes Veterans levels of acuity and communicating/reporting changes in acuity level to the medical provider, nursing supervisor, covering RN, and/or nurse manager (NM). Coordinates the transfer of Veterans to a more acute level of care, as applicable, which includes hand-off communication to the receiving unit. Reports required information for hand-off communication to the oncoming shift and at other times to applicable staff and departments. Completes the necessary documentation for these duties. Communicates effectively with the NM, Nurse Officer of the Day (NOD) and/or medical provider on duty for issues affecting Veteran care and staffing levels. Supports the NM in monitoring the practice of licensed and unlicensed nursing staff in Veteran care delivery. Ensures completion of all shift documentation by other nursing staff, such as activities of daily living (ADL) notes, pain management notes, and nursing entries. Evaluates unit for safety issues, taking appropriate action when indicated, to include routine equipment checks (i.e., glucometers, crash cart, refrigerators, etc.) and any equipment malfunction. Performs other duties as required. Work Schedule: 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. (day rotator), 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. or 12:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Shifts include rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 and PD000000/Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health Charge Nurse Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. Exceptions:(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. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.GS-7: The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Experience: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. Demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities: Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Preferred Experience: Two years of behavioral health and/or SUD experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Melanie Johnson
• Phone: (412) 822-2048
• Email: [email protected]