**Recruitment /Relocation Incentive of up to $7,500 may be available to highly qualified applicants with a 3 year service agreement** The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), serves as a member of the nursing team in the Mental Health Service Line. He/she provides care to Veterans with psychiatric diagnoses, substance use disorders, and multiple medical diagnoses.

Duties

**Recruitment /Relocation Incentive of up to $7,500 may be available to highly qualified applicants with a 3 year service agreement** The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), serves as a member of the nursing team in the Mental Health Service Line. He/she provides care to Veterans with psychiatric diagnoses, substance use disorders, and multiple medical diagnoses. The LPN/LVN participates in interventions that promote the Veteran attaining and maintaining maximum functionality. The LPN/LVN will provide direct patient care to include medication administration. Demonstrates knowledge and skills in preparing and administering medications in accordance with Nursing Service policies and guidelines. Inspects/prepares/administers and appropriately documents the administration of prescribed oral/subcutaneous/intramuscular medications as directed and as approved by the Salem VA Health Care System and SOPs. Observes the "5 rights of medication administration." Routinely evaluates and documents the patient's response to medicinal treatment including reactions and side effects; to include timely documentation of as needed (PRN) medication. Ensures there is an order for all medications prior to the administration of medication. Reports suspected medication error according to hospital policy. Close to minimum supervision for reporting and recording the results of nursing observations/nursing care rendered and response to that care. Written and electronic documentation is descriptive of patient's behavior/condition and responses. Verbal reports are timely and pertinent. All entries in the EMR are documented appropriately and according to policy and guidelines. Documentation supports the patient's right to privacy/HIPPA with respect to confidentiality and dissemination of information. Hand off communication is timely/accurate and pertinent following the established nursing policy. Close to minimum supervision demonstrating competency in the procurement, set up, use, cleaning, and as applicable, reprocessing of reusable medical equipment (RME) for which the incumbent has been trained. Adheres to applicable guidelines for the use and disposal of non-reusable equipment/supplies. Appropriately follows manufacturers recommendation for usage: single use, single person use, and reusable. Inspects RME before use and places into use only that which is adequately clean and disinfected and in good repair. Adheres to policy and procedure in cleaning and sanitizing all non-critical RME (blood pressure cuffs, glucometers, scales, etc.) after each Veteran use. Notifies management of breeches in policy and procedure for managing equipment and supplies. Works with RN and/or HCP to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPN/LVN. Work Schedule: 7:30pm - 8:00am; every other weekend Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants with a 3 year service agreement Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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: 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. 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. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. 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. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license. GS4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, [incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. 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. 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. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. GS-6: Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance 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. 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: Mental health nursing experience References: VA handbook 5005/2 Appendix G13. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

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: Michele Daniels
• Phone: 706-733-0188 X31163
• Email: [email protected]