The Licensed Practical Nurse demonstrates technical proficiencies in completing assigned duties in providing care to patient populations in the Inpatient of Mental Health Department of the Alexandria VA Health Care System.

Duties

Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to) and are at the full performance level: The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Chief, Services and Care Line Manager, who establishes objectives and department priorities. The incumbent is expected to complete work assignments with relative independence and minimal guidance, personally setting the deadlines for work completions. He or she assumes responsibility in work assignments in accordance with regulations and independently and resolves most conflicts by using considerable judgment and interpretation. Maintains current licensure and BLS. The LPN takes initiative and assumes responsibility for providing routine to complex practical nursing care to a group of patients as assigned. Has the ability to work independently and provide modalities to veterans that have multiple complex medical, mental and emotional conditions. Provides personal care to patients and utilizes therapeutic approaches, which promote independence, and self-care. Shares knowledge/skills with colleagues/others. Attends and participates in staff meetings, unit in services, and unit committees. Assists new staff in orientation on the unit through shared knowledge and clinical expertise. Adheres to safety and health standards, regulations, and work practices. Uses Personal Protective Equipment and Standard Precautions as indicated. Utilizes safe patient handling equipment and techniques in lifting, moving and transferring patients. Provides input into evaluation process. Accepts constructive evaluation and assistance in identifying learning needs. Maintains flexibility in adapting to changes in schedule and workload. Assists other team members willingly. Uses on-duty time advantageously. Assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions. Work Schedule: Rotating 12 hour shifts (days and nights) including weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 502-00243-F 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education: Must be a graduate of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. (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. License: Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. Grade Determinations: GS-06: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05LPN/LVN: Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 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 the 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, cultural, spiritual, 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. 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. 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: At least one year experience working inpatient Mental Health. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G -13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds & over), Heavy carrying (45 pounds & over), Straight pulling (1-2 hours), Pushing (1-2 hours); Walking (up to 8 hours), Standing (up to 8 hours), Kneeling, Repeated bending (up to 8 hours), use of fingers, both hands required; both legs required, Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; Near Vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4,, Far Vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, repetitive computer entry, ability to distinguish basic colors, Depth perception; Hearing (aide permitted); emotional/mental stability. Environmental Factors: Working closely with others, working with hands in water, working with machinery with moving parts, protracted or irregular hours of work; Use stretchers to transfer patients, use patient lifts, if applicable. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials.

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 Alexandria VA Medical Center 2495 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 US
• Name: Grace Jackson
• Phone: 725-780-8676
• Email: [email protected]