This is an LPN vacancy in the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Butler VA Medical Center. The LPN at the CLC performs progressively complex age specific nursing care for inpatients and outpatients ranging in age from adult to geriatric with a variety of physical, mental, behavioral, or psychosocial needs, which require increased judgement and independent action, according to assignment and training.

Duties

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. Major Duties: Performs basic nursing procedures requiring technical skill and knowledge to meet the needs of the patient with little or no supervision by the RN. Keeps well informed of, follows, and promotes all Medical Center policies, guidelines, and regulations. Recognizes and accurately reports symptoms which indicate subtle physical and/or emotional changes in the patients' conditions promptly. Recognizes variations from normal and quickly takes appropriate action. Calls for professional assistance as needed. Demonstrates ability to differentiate the normal aging process versus changes associated with a disease state including sensory/perceptual changes and physical needs for food, water, air, elimination, rest, sleep, and activity. Demonstrates ability to provide age specific appropriate care based on developmental, physical, psychological, sociological, educational, and safety needs of patients ranging from young adult to geriatric. Documents observations, treatments and patient care and responses to treatment on appropriate records with minimal monitoring by the RN in an accurate and timely manner. Administers selected medications by the following methods: oral, rectal, topical, instillation, via nasogastric tube, subcutaneous, and intramuscular according to Medical Center policy and under supervision of the RN. Demonstrates the knowledge of age-related data interpretation such as: effects of medications on the elderly including metabolism, absorption, elimination of medication related to age, drug interactions and sensitivities, and fluid volume balance related to age. Is proficient in the use of the Bar Code Medication Administration in the Computerized Patient Record System. Utilizes proper body mechanics, lifting devices, and assistance from coworkers in performance of patient activities, which may require considerable lifting, bending, and moving patients. Adjusts assistive approaches to meet the age-related needs, i.e. older people bruise more easily than younger people. Recognizes the need for patient and family health teaching and confers with RN in initiation of appropriate instructions including involving family or significant other in decision making related to plan of care. Displays a high degree of tact, patience, cooperativeness, and awareness of psychosocial factors, which contribute to their patients' behavior, and provides emotional support to patients and their families as necessary. Demonstrates communication skills necessary to interpret age specific response to treatment. Work Schedule: Rotating tours including weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. Basic requirements as set forth in MPS Part1, Chapter 2, Change I Appendix M dated August 15, 1990. One (1) year of qualifying experience at the next lower grade or equivalent level. 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: Qualifying experience includes 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, performing such duties as: For GS-4:Successful completion of a program in practical nursing of a least 9 months' duration combined with 1 year of nursing assistant experience; or successful completion of a 2-year degree program in an accredited community college, junior college, or college or university in practical nursing. 6 months of nursing experience is required. For GS-5 and above: 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level is required. References: VA Handbook 5005; 0620 Licensed Practical Nurse, OPM Classification& Qualifications

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 VA Butler Healthcare 353 North Duffy Road Butler, PA 16001 US
• Name: Crystal Conrad
• Phone: (412) 822-3066
• Email: [email protected]