The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) will function as a responsible member of the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) care team under administrative supervision of the MHSL Chief, and clinically supervised by discipline related supervisors.

Duties

Major duties/functions include, but are not limited to: Identifies and initiates appropriate emergency measures and aids others to function efficiently in emergency situations, such as suicidal or homicidal patients, addiction or withdrawal symptoms from medications and escalating emotional issues with the patient due to mental health issues to include the appropriate documentation. Provides nursing care to mental health and substance abuse patients, based on age specific needs, which requires knowledge, and skills representative of a highly proficient LPN/LVN. Keen observation skills with accurate reporting and recording of significant changes in patient's conditions and actions taken. Functions in collaboration with the Registered Nurse and Mental Health Providers in identifying needs of patients and carrying out assignments. Promptly reports any changes observed in patients or practices. Identifies patients appropriately, interviews, observes, and documents patient's objective and subjective information as appropriate in the patient's record. Initiation, administration, and monitoring of medications(Subcutaneous (SQ), Intramuscular (IM), By Mouth (PO), and transdermal) per policy and procedure. Document patient medical and mental health screening information and the care provided to the patient in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Vista. Enter orders for patient medication to be given in clinic per provider order in Vista. Skill in the preparation and administration of selected psychotropic medications such as Naltrexone, Fluphenazine, Decanoate, Paliperidone, Risperidone, Haloperidol Decanoate, Sublocade, and Abilify. Administration documentation, and interruption of reading results per policy of Influenza, Tuberculosis, and Covid Vaccination. Knowledge of Fentanyl Testing Strips for the Harm Reduction Program and provides education to patient on instructions for use. Works independently in relationship to the Mental Health Nursing Clinic for screening patients and determining level of care required such as Social Worker and/or Medication Management. Demonstrates the ability to complete Urine Drug Screen required for the Suboxone Clinic and Harm Reduction Program. Contributes pertinent information to patient care plan, considering the physical, emotional and social factors related. Exhibits knowledge and skill to address complex patient crisis concerns such as suicidal or homicidal ideations and communicate with Medical Doctor (MD), Psychiatrists, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, Registered Nurse (RN), and Psychologist in prioritizing patient care and ensuring patient safety. Contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan, promoting patient participation in their plan of 3 care by encouraging independence in a therapeutic environment by fostering self-reliance and independence. Contributes to patient education on diagnosis, medication, side effects, symptoms of depression, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), anxiety, anger management, suicidal ideations, homicidal ideations and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their family members to elicit trust, shared feelings and attitudes, promoting positive relationships, communications and socialization skills. Anticipates potential safety hazards due to mental health issues, reporting and or initiating appropriate actions. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and skills of practical nursing under difficult circumstances in the suboxone clinic, regarding dealing with patients with addiction and withdrawal symptoms, random pill counts, witnessed drug urine screens and suboxone contracts. Serves as a role model/mentor to new personnel. Identifies and communicates anticipated complex problems with patient care including safety, infection control, and quality management which may impede the delivery of nursing care. Judgement on difficult decisions in planning of patient care in the outpatient/specialty clinic setting. Maintaining and monitoring Quality Management Hand Hygiene and Urine Drug Screen spreadsheets for lab verification. Reinforces patient education concerning the Veterans Crisis Line. Provides education to patient's family/significant other specific to mental health diagnosis and treatment plans. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 9:30am - 6:00pm Compressed/Flexible:Compressed tours may be considered by management. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

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. 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: 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. Physical Requirements. Please see physical requirements in additional information section. English Language Proficiency. Proficient in both spoken and written English. 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). Preferred Experience: Mental Health experience Grade Determinations: GS-7. 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. NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients. a) Completion of at least 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*. *See assessment questionnaire for examples of duties at the GS-6 level. b) 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; c) 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; d) 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; e) 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; f) 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; g) 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; h) 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; i) 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; j) 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; k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G13 dated: 4/10/2003.

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 Beckley VA Medical Center 200 Veterans Avenue Beckley, WV 25801 US
• Name: Amelia Rusk
• Phone: 254-922-6999
• Email: [email protected]