The Domiciliary Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the mental health team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments within the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (RRTP) for a Veteran population with a variety of mental and health care needs.

Duties

LPN Description for Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) The Domiciliary Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the mental health team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments within the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (RRTP) for a Veteran population with a variety of mental and health care needs. The RRTP team is comprised of a medical provider, (MD, NP, PA, or DO), Program Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Psychologist, LMHC, RN, LPN, NA, and administrative support staff. Although this position partners with other mental health and nursing team members, RRTP LPNs successfully and consistently demonstrate independent technical judgment as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of practices and procedures specific to the RRTP program. Incumbent demonstrates knowledge, experience, skill, and self-motivation to carry out complex patient assignments, which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervision. RRTP team members have assigned duties within the team to ensure that residents are receiving high-quality care and has access to care. The incumbent collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to provide complex/specialized patient-centered care to mental health patients taking into consideration patients' ages, cultural backgrounds, education level, and any other special needs. The patient population is multi-faceted, including geriatric patients, patients from all war-time eras, female patients, and patients with complex psychiatric needs. The LPN completes assigned duties and responsibilities that involve performing non-standard and specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad nursing knowledge, experience, and skills to address a wide range of care needs, which includes an expanded scope of practice. In addition to performing the duties of RRTP LPN, the incumbent demonstrates self-direction and knowledge in performing an extensive range of nursing care, medication administration and documentation practices according to established RRTP policies and procedures. The LPN has complex responsibilities including nurse health maintenance, census management, data analysis, and performance/quality improvement roles. These responsibilities also include implementation of evidence-based nursing practice and demonstration of advanced competence that promotes quality patient care to improve outcomes, safety, and performance metrics. This grade-level position requires broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general, and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in RRTP census management, modification of treatment plans, and organizational performance improvement initiatives. Must be able to demonstrate appropriate PMDB skills for assigned areas up to and including therapeutic containment and crisis interventions. Additional duties in the RRTP setting may include performing hazardous item inspections, health and safety inspections, and assisting with transportation. Must be able to follow Alcohol and Substance abuse detox protocols, obtain urine drug screens and breathalyzers as indicated and bed bug management. DOM LPNs are expected to maintain a valid driver's license, DOT certification and demonstrate knowledge of safety in the operation of the van/shuttle to transport residents. Changes in driver's license status will be reported to the Nurse Manager and Domiciliary RRTP Program Manager. The DOM LPN will not drive the van without a valid license, medical clearance from occupational health or if on medication that would interfere with safe driving. The DOM LPN may be provided training in other areas of Nursing Mental Health service and support staffing needs in those areas. LPN Description for Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) The LPN must exercise sound judgment and requires minimal supervisory oversight. Supervisory oversight for the RRTP LPN is the RRTP Registered Nurse. The incumbent is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing and, as appropriate, team collaboration when modifying patient care treatment plans. They must also possess the ability to observe subtler physical and emotional changes in patients, exercise sound nursing judgment, and demonstrate appropriate action based on those observations. The LPN must possess the knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent/emergent patient care situations, seek team assistance as appropriate, and effectively intervene to assure the delivery of safe patient care. Work Schedule: 12-hour shifts/8 hour shifts may be offered, alternating weekends Functional Statement #: 70729F 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. 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Note: must submit transcript with application. 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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:GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-04: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR (b) Graduation from an approved school 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: (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. (c) Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. (d) Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. (e) Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-06 (Full Performance Level): In addition to the basic requirements stated above the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.GS-6 (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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. (j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

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 James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Deborah Burton
• Phone: 813-804-2103
• Email: [email protected]