The LPN within the Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment unit provides care to our Veterans in need of short stay mental health treatment. The LPN , as a GS 7, will performs at a more complex nursing level within the VA and must posses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide more concentrated efforts at a higher level of self-direction in carrying out complex Vocational/Practical nursing. A Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be authorized to highly qualified applicants.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) will be accountable for ensuring the delivery of safe nursing care for a group of patients based on their role in the nursing process, taking into consideration each patient's developmental stage, progressing from young adult to geriatric stage. The LPN is expected to comply with all mandated annual review requirements, rotate to clinical areas as assigned and take responsibility for attending in-services and continuing education. Job duties may include administering medications, educational groups, providing one to one care at times, patient count, ADLs, and helping ensure the safety of the Veterans while providing optimal care. The LPN receives written assignments and verbal instructions from the registered nurse. The LPN is expected to carry out the assignment without further direction unless unusual or unforeseen problems arise. The Nurse Manager evaluates work performance, reviews work performance with employee and makes recommendations as appropriate. More duties include, but not are not limited to: Possesses comprehensive Practical nursing knowledge, skills in specialized procedures, and multiple highly specialized areas of care. Responsible for direct patient care activities under general supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN) or Medical Provider. The work can be of considerable complexity and is performed in collaboration across multiple disciplines and services. Demonstrate independent technical judgments and to possess and apply comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of Vocational/Practical nursing. Demonstrates knowledge, experience, skill, and self-motivation to carry out patient assignments, which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervision. The LPN has independent duties within the team to ensure that the patient panel is receiving high-quality care and has access to care, including same-day access. Demonstrates broader knowledge and skills than LPN's at lower grades. Responsible for goals and interventions that promote Veterans in attaining maximum functional potential and self-management. Maintains and applies a more advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology and skills to care for a wide range of specialty patients including those with chronic and acute illness. Serves as a resource for all staff regarding complex care provided on CLC. Demonstrates knowledge of standard precautions, isolation precautions, medical asepsis, and sterile technique with the ability to correctly apply these principles and techniques and assist others with compliance. Responsible for and supports the RN or Medical Provider in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery and LPN's at lower grade level. Promptly reports any deviation from normal practice patterns to the RN or medical Provider. The incumbent is responsible and expected to require minimal supervision in the performance of considerably difficulty and complex duties. GS-7 LPN's are expected to exercise independent technical judgment and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principals of the art and science of Vocation/Practical nursing. Incumbents perform the full range of LPN nursing and patient care functions distinguished by additional training and/or certification in specialty areas. The GS-7 LPN manages the flow of the neighborhood and may provide case management related to specialty care and lead work direction for neighborhood support staff. All other duties assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Nights,12 HR shifts 5:45PM - 6:15AM with Rotating Days, Weekends, Holidays and Off Tours. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS-7 Community Living Center/PRRTP Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), at the time the program was completed; Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed; Granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure: Must possess a 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. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, 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-7 Level: The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3, PART II, APPENDIX G13. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Preferred Experience: Mental Health LPN Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15 - 44 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15 - 44 lbs); Pulling; Pushing; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers/hands/legs required; Walking; Standing; Kneeling; bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other; Depth perception; Hearing (aid permitted). NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients.

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 Danville VA Medical Center 1900 East Main Street Danville, IL 61832 US
• Name: Chelsie Bartlett
• Phone: 217-920-7036
• Email: [email protected]