Topeka: First Area of Consideration (AOC) will be given to NAGE permanent employees, Topeka VAMC. Second AOC will be given to permanent employees of EKHCS. Third AOC will be given to all other applicants. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized up to $10,000 for highly qualified candidates.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 5, 2022. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 15, 2022, with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks after. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. This announcement covers the Acute Psychiatry (Inpatient Mental Health) within VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System. The Licensed Practical Nurse serves our Veterans within the Nursing Service Behavioral Health Division. The Licensed Practical Nurse works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and is responsible for the nursing care provided to the patients assigned to him/her. The primary responsibilities of this Licensed Practical Nurse may vary by assignment. Those duties may include but not limited to: Responsible and accountable for providing direct and indirect patient care, will prepare and dispense medications, record vital signs, and provide treatments. Give complete personal and hygienic care and provide assistance with activities of daily living to include moving, lifting, and positioning. Performing tasks such as: checking and recording vital signs; administering injections; health teaching; recognition of changes in moods and behaviors of patients and intervening effectively to assist patients in coping. Provide assistance with food and fluid intake, recording of I&O's; vital signs, medications, treatments, educational groups and patient care. Independently developing and leading groups, have a strong working knowledge of psychiatric conditions, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and associated symptoms, appropriate intervention skills, and the ability to be self directed and self motivated. Written assignments are given by the team leader or charge nurse. Recognizes the need for and seeks guidance when necessary to insure quality patient care. Nursing staff will be expected to float to other areas as needed. Excellent customer service and communication skills are required. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: A variety of work schedules may be available; work schedule will be determined upon selection. NOTE: May be expected to work rotating weekends and holidays. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Paid Time Off: Receive 13 to 26 days paid paid annual (vacation/personal) leave per year, 13 sick days annual with no limitation on accumulation, and 11 paid federal holidays. 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). For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits/

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements at the time of review. 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 accrediting agency and/or National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. This requirement maybe waived for candidates with health care education or training in military service, which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying or full LPN/LVN licensure. Licensure: Full, active and current licensure as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States or in the 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 provision in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part in VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G13. English Language Proficiency: LPN/LVNs 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). Preferred Experience: Behavioral health experience preferred. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. Applicants 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 (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C of VA Handbook 5005) 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. LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. In addition, the following criteria must be met: 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. 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. 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: Requires at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN. In addition, the following criteria must be met: Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient population. 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 of care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. Prepare and administer 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, initiates 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. Establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. 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. Actively seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appx G13 Licensed Practical Nurse Qualification Standard dated April 2003. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements for this position in accordance with HRML No. 05-12-02 , Employment of People with Disabilities, Including Under Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Heavy Lifting (35 pounds and over); Heavy Carrying (35 pounds and over); Straight pulling and/or Pushing (up to 6-8 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both Hands required; Walking (up to 6-8 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Sitting (up to 1 hour); Kneeling; Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Both legs required. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; Hearing (aid permitted); Ability to hear whispered voice. Emotional stability. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Eastern Kansas Health Care System 2200 SW Gage Blvd Topeka, KS 66622 US
• Name: Karli Romine
• Phone: (913) 682-2000
• Email: [email protected]