The West Palm Beach Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is looking for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to work in Mental Health service. The LPN will report directly to the Nurse Manager.

Duties

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN ONLY TO THE PUBLIC. IF YOU ARE A PERMANENT VA EMPLOYEE, YOU SHOULD APPLY UNDER THE ANNOUNCEMENT - CBTC-12250875-24-CB*** The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) engages in nursing care, which requires the knowledge and skills represented by licensure as an LPN. The primary purpose to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran. The Licensed Practical Nurse (Mental Health) will report directly to the Nurse Manager, Mental Health. The Licensed Practical Nurse (Mental Health) is assigned to the Nurse Manager, but functions under the direction of the Registered Nurse (RN). The incumbent is primarily responsible for providing direct and indirect care to psychiatric patients on the acute locked ward. These patients have a wide range of psychiatric illnesses, often accompanied by medical complications. The LPN also provides comprehensive care to include delivery of treatments according to the plan of care, administration of medications to include, oral medications, injectable medications, collection of urine and finger sticks for blood glucose monitoring. This Mental Health Unit is a High-Risk Area that requires the ability to conduct Therapeutic Containment up to level 3PMDB. The Mental Health LPN provides a safe and respectable environment according to established policies and procedures. The LPN completes assignments in a timely manner and is flexible and able to shift priorities. The LPN observes and promptly reports changing conditions of patients to the RN in a timely manner. The LPN will perform other clinically related duties as assigned by the RN. The LPN (MH) will communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers; maintain confidentiality of patient information electronically, verbally, and written; work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment and integrate and apply pertinent aspects of the Medical Center performance improvement program into his/her professional practice. The Mental Health LPN will provide care appropriate to the bio-psychosocial and physical needs of the population served. This knowledge includes an understanding of the changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric population. This candidate will take vital signs, provide direct patient care, administer medications and provide 1:1 care as needed. The LPN will be responsible for performing complex and supportive nursing tasks necessary for the care of our veterans to include gathering patient information, including clinical reminders in our computerized medical record; obtaining EKGs; medication administration; patient/family education; and other assigned duties as outlined in LPN. Administers routine medications, as ordered. Charts refused psychotropic medications in CPRS. Notifies Charge Nurse (CN), and MD of medication refusals. Notifies CN or MD of incorrect or duplicate orders. Flags incorrect orders, and sends them to MD, if not emergent. Assists with admissions, and discharges, as able, i.e. skin assessment, Nursing Admission documentation, and introduction of unit and rules to new patients. Completes blood sugar checks, as ordered. Administers medications, per order. Uses VA protocol for hypoglycemia. Notifies RN, and or, MD of abnormal, out-of-range, results. Completes q15-minute safety rounds. Assists on the unit, as needed with patient care. Assists with vital signs, special orders i.e. I/O, fluid restriction, behavior plans, and close observations. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday thru Sunday with weekends & holidays. 7:00 AM -7:30 PM, 7:00 PM -7:30 AM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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-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. Preferred Experience: 1 to 2 Year of Mental Health or Substance Abuse LPN experience References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33410 US
• Name: Christal Bess
• Phone: 813-816-7155 X100165
• Email: [email protected]