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.

Duties

The staff Licensed Practical Nurse will provide safe, routine care to Veterans at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center within both inpatient and outpatient units. The duties of the Licensed Practical Nurse-Inpatient Mental Health include, but are not limited to: Provides for personal hygiene (bathing, shaving, shampooing hair, skin and mouth care) for assigned patients according to defined procedure. Feeds and/or encourage diets, nourishment, and fluids to meet nutrition and hydration needs of assigned patients using feeding utensils and special adaptive devices. Turns, positions, and transfers patients into, and from bed, chair, stretchers and escorts patients to appointments within the hospital and off station in accordance with policy and procedure. Assists with the elimination needs of patients by promoting bowel and bladder evacuation using a bedpan, urinal, external catheter, bedside commode, toilet, enemas including established colostomies and indwelling catheters. Administers and records medications (IM, PO, rectal, topical, subcutaneous), monitors IV's, and performs treatments for patients using aseptic techniques, according to defined procedures for oral care, perineal care, heat and cold applications, bladder catheterization, enema administration, and application of ointments, lotions, and powders and assists physician or professional nurse with other procedures. Measures, reports, and/or documents vital parameters of body functions and changes in physical, mental, or behavioral states as indicated. Collects, tests and/or processes specimens of body excretions and/or secretions according to established procedures. Cares for, observes, and documents the physical, mental, and behavioral states of patients on special observation in accordance with defined procedure. The employee provides patient care, that is appropriate for the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult patient. Demonstrates skill in working positively and collaboratively with interdisciplinary groups, including patients and their families, staff, and other disciplines. Exhibits effective teaching skills and the ability to provide educational instruction to patients, families and staff demonstrated. Work Schedule: Sunday through Saturday with rotating weekends and holidays, 7:30 am-4 pm rotating to 3:30 pm-12 mn or straight 3:30 pm-12 mn shift Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: N/A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Olympia Smith at [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. LPNs/LVNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the NLNAC, from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include: 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-6: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the following 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; 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: Three (3) years experience as LPN One (1) year experience in Mental Health References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13 April 13, 2003 The full performance level of this position is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. G.V. Sonny Montgomery VAMC is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, sitting, bending, reaching, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent will routinely be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent is expected to train for and participate in the physical management of disruptive patients. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

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 GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216 US
• Name: Richard Cohen
• Phone: 504-422-9343
• Email: [email protected]