The Salem VAMC is seeking a LPN for the Nursing, Mental Health department. The LPN works under the direction of the Registered Nurse (RN) or provider and is responsible for observing, recording, and reporting changes in the Veteran's condition as well as assisting in the development and revision of the Veteran-driven holistic care plan for life.

Duties

The responsibilities of the LPN are divided among five elements: Veteran Care, Customer Service, Reporting and Documentation, Safety, and Education. Responsibilities Include but are not limited: Medication administration to include oral, intramuscular, and subcutaneous. Vital sign data collection and entry into CPRS. Prepare the Veteran for any appointments off the unit and escort as needed. Checking expiration dates of medicines and supplies. Documenting procedures and treatments. Lab specimen collection (i.e., nasal swabs, throat swabs, and blood collection). Adhering to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication. Performing complex practical nursing measures with precision and efficiency, consistent with Medical Center policy and procedure within the legal and ethical responsibilities of his/her licensure as a LPN. Performs nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill to resolve a range of nursing problems. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent Veteran situations, seeks assistance, and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. Based on the Veterans' goals, provides Veteran and family health education, to include self-management, prevention, and wellness. Adhering to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions. Possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment. Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties (i.e. EKG, bladder scanner). Work Schedule: Varies Shifts, day and night shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000/ LPN GS03-06 EDRP: Not Authorized 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. English Language Proficiency: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing that was approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing (Accrediting Commission, NLNAC) at the time of completion. Licensure: Holds a current, full, active and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical nurse or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. 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. GS-04: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) 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 (c) 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: Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications. This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition. GS-06: Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent and fully meet all performance requirements for the GS-05 LPN/LVN? Proficiency 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information. Ability to observe, identify, and response to a patient's needs for care including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Preferred Experience: Mental Health References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. He/she may be exposed to infected Veterans and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing/equipment in isolation situations or during day-to-day clinic functions and procedures. The LPN must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on Veteran needs. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to Veterans who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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 Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Ivy Nathan
• Phone: (804) 566-0885
• Email: [email protected]