The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Program (SARRTP) promotes a healing, recovery-focused environment for Veterans. They support patient-centered care, recovery principles, and address Veterans' medical and mental health needs. The LPN uses therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language. Responsibilities include medication management, orientation, unit safety, group activities, and other needs within SARRTP.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens IAW VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses in direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. 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 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. Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond 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: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) Graduation from an approved school 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (d) 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, procedures, and techniques. GS-5: (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 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 patient care delivery, 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. (e) Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek assistance of the RN 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. (g) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-6: (a) Completion of at least 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 patients' conditions; use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by an RN or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. (d) Ability to observe, identify, and respond to patients' 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 patients' 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. (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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Preferred Experience: Prefer 4 years mental health and/or substance use disorder nursing experience, 3 years experience working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, and 2 years experience with patient engagement activities/groups. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Applicants must possess the ability to do the following: heavy lifting and carrying, 45 pounds and over; pulling, pushing and reaching above the shoulder; walking, standing, kneeling and repeated bending.
VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 The LPN is directly responsible to the professional nurse for providing direct care within his/her scope of practice. The LPN works under the direction of an RN. The LPN is responsible for observing, recording, and reporting changes in the patient's condition, as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic life care plan. The LPN requires a general review of their work by an RN for appropriateness and conformity with license, policies, and procedures. The LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with Core Interdisciplinary Team and coworkers involved in providing care to the patient. Major duties include but not limited to: 1. Observing changes in veterans' condition (e.g. behavior shifts, mood changes, skin coloring, appetite, etc.) 2. Documenting care provided and observations on appropriate tools or forms. 3. Assuring receipt of adequate nutritional intake either through observation, feeding or properly positioning and checking placement of feeding tube for the veteran. 4. Administering medications, stoma care (e.g. tracheotomy, suctioning, and colostomy), enemas, skin care, simple dressing, braces and prosthetic devices. Monitors intake and output according to established policy and procedure. 5. Recognizing the veteran's autonomy and promoting independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. 6. Reinforces medication and age-related healthcare education for veterans and/or significant others. 7. Serves as a team leader to a group of veterans, observing nursing care delivered and reporting concerns to the charge nurse. 8. Complies with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for pretreatment/cleaning Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as defined by "Spaulding Classification." RME is classified as Critical Equipment - Class 1, Semi-Critical Equipment - Class 2, and Non-Critical - Class 3.RME cleaning will be done in accordance to the schedule on the unit Work Schedule: (6) 12-Hour Shifts from 12:00pm - Midnight and (1) 8-Hour Shift a pay period. This tour may include weekends and holidays. Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91611-0, 91612-0, 91613-0, 91614-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized