The New Jersey VA HCS is hiring for one, full-time, permanent GS 7 LPN to work on their Mental Health unit at the Lyons campus.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse GS-7 serves as a member of the nursing team in a Mental Health patient Residential Rehabilitation Program that is a step down unit for chronic psychiatric patients that do not require long term care. The goal of the unit is the improve quality of life where patients receive psychotherapy, counseling and education classes.. You will be expected to be vigilant in recognizing changes in residents' conditions, astute in assessing the need for intervention which may be of emergent nature requiring immediate attention. Duties and responsibilities involve performing specialized practical nursing activities which require work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems. The LPN GS-7 is under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, demonstrating independent technical judgment, critical thinking skills and the use of independent judgment with minimal oversight. Such individuals serve as leaders or co-leaders of a specific nursing area for a specific group of residents in Mental Health. GS-7 LPN Team Leader will demonstrate independence without the need for readily available supervision, using critical thinking skills and acting on complex residents or difficult practices and procedures. The LPN primary function is providing phlebotomy services to all Mental Health and Mental Health units. Demonstrates the ability to provide a full range of care to patients' with supervision by the Registered Nurse. Demonstrates the ability to guide and direct other LPN and Nursing Assistant staff in the provision of care for select groups of patients with remote supervision by the Registered Nurse. Functions as a preceptor and/or group leader LPN and Nursing Assistant staff. Recognizes emergency situations and acts appropriately to get assistance; initiates CPR. Complies with established policies and procedures in the preparation of, the administration of and documentation of medications Recognizes side effects of medications; reports observations to their appropriate supervisor/medical provider immediately. Recognizes subtle changes in the patient's condition, behavior and/or comfort. Intervenes appropriately. Reports observations and interventions to their appropriate supervisor/medical provider. Takes and records vital signs including pain level. Reports abnormal vital signs and pain level immediately to their appropriate supervisor/medical provider. Participates in developing the interdisciplinary plan of care. Initiates interventions outlined in the plan of care. Acts promptly to resolve complaints within his/her control, and reports interventions to the Registered Nurse in a timely manner. Promotes a therapeutic environment by fostering positive interpersonal relationships through a courteous and cooperative spirit. Follows VA and HVVAHCS safety policies and Procedures in the delivery of patient care. Participates in the unit's performance improvement program. Work Schedule: Days with rotation Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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. 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. For Exceptions, please go to: 5005-3_LPN_Quals (va.gov) 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: GS-7: 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. (a) 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. AND the following KSAs: (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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. (j) 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. (k) 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: See VA Handbook 5005 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 7 to GS 7. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019

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 New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Megan Gardner
• Phone: 585-393-7766
• Email: [email protected]