The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Licensed Practical Nurse. The Licensed Practical Nurse will function in Residential Mental Health Nursing Service.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), GS-7, grade level performs all duties expected of employees at the GS-7 grade level. The incumbent practices as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Residential/Inpatient Mental Health (IMH). The LPN functions as a champion and advocate for the provision of recovery focused services to Veterans. As such he/she is expected to model recovery and its defined values in all aspects of her/his professional activities and partnerships. The LPN is responsible for the provision of nursing and rehabilitative services for Veterans and works in a Residential/Inpatient Mental Health (IMH) setting. Duties include: implementation of approved policies and procedures; completion of required documentation in accordance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA), The Joint Commission (T JC), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and other regulatory and accreditation requirements; assisting the Registered Nurse (RN) with ensuring completion of a comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessment through information gathering; participates in completion, documentation and implementation of recovery based treatment plans; functions as an integral member of the treatment team and assumes responsibility for assisting with the collection of pertinent information that contributes to the completion of assessments for Veterans admitted to Residential and Inpatient units. She/he may serve in the charge nurse role on the afternoon and midnight shift, reporting directly to the Nurse Manager and/or the Nursing Officer of the Day (NOD). She/he coordinates and assists the Medical Doctor (MD), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Physician Assistants and RN with medical aspects of Veterans' care; makes notification and referrals to appropriate discipline(s) as required; supports the mission and vision of Mental Health Nursing: provides education on disease prevention, health promotion and safe medication management; ensures safe handling and security of medications to include ongoing compliance of Veterans with self-­medication administration; coordinates medical appointments; conducts collection of urine drug screens and alcohol breathalyzer screenings; ensures safe environment and takes appropriate action during crisis situations. The LPN assists in the development of a plan to help and support the Veteran through crisis while enlisting the commitment of the Veteran and, as appropriate, the family. The LPN participates in quality assurance and performance improvement as defined by VHA Office of Quality and Performance, initiates and participates in discharge planning. Work Schedule: 7:00pm to 7:30am, days rotate according to operational needs. 80 hours per pay period (2 weeks) Hours may be rotated or extended based on the needs of the Medical Center and our Veterans. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. 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 at the time the program was completed by the applicant. 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). OR VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. OR Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a LPN or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, 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. Licensed Practical Nurse GS-07: 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 is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is 07. Preferred Experience: Residential Mental Health LPN Experience References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standards, dated April 2003, and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at http://www.va.gov/ohrm/joblistings/VAQualStds.doc. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting 45 lbs & over; Heavy Carrying 45 lbs & over; Pushing up to 4 hours; Use of fingers/both hands required. Walking & Standing 8-12 hours; Repeated bending; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16". Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other. Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted). Emotional and Mental Stability.

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 Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Tracy Mitchell
• Phone: (269) 425-0370
• Email: [email protected]