Summary

The LPN/LVN - Acute Psych provides critical nursing care on 9A under the direction of the RN's on duty and the Nurse Manager. These duties include participation in daily team huddles - ensuring quality of care - familiarity with procedural treatments and therapies - ensuring safety on the unit - participation in unit performance improvement activities - passing medications - evaluating patients - reporting changes in conditions - and other nursing duties as assigned within the scope of practice.

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
• 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)
• 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
• 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-03: 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-04: Candidates may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: (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
• OR (d) LPNs at the GS-04 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-03 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-05: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 level or equivalent
• Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge - Skills & Abilities (KSAs): 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
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-06: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05 LPN/LVN: Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge - Skills & Abilities: Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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 year acute mental health experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Licensed Practical Nurse(LPN) functions as a member of the team as assigned
• Performs most complex practical nursing care assignments with precision and efficiency consistent with Nursing Service policy and procedure and within the legal and ethical responsibilities of the LPN
• Demonstrates self-direction and flexibility in fulfilling the requirements of a complex assignment
• Observes for and reports physiological and/or psychological deviations in the acutely or chronically ill patients
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to potentially life-threatening situations as they develop
• Modifies the plan of care and notifies the appropriate authorities
• Duties include but are not limited to: Performs assigned patient care activities under direct supervision of an RN or licensed provider - utilizing patient data to support individualized care plans
• Observes and reports the Veteran's physical and emotional status
• Understands and carries out program regulations and care plan objectives - ensuring all tasks align with safety standards - unit guidelines - and regulatory expectations
• Participates in developing and updating plans of care for assigned Veterans
• Care plans require review and co-signature by an RN or provider
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications and treatments following policy
• including direct administration of therapeutic containment when situationally indicated and as described in the VA course Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior
• Observes for changes in condition and promptly documents and reports deviations from baseline
• Charts pertinent data regarding the patient's condition such as progress of patient's condition - procedures performed - and medications given
• Interviews patients to obtain information and/or communicate data regarding the patient
• Initiates patient teaching regarding procedures - tests - medications - specimen collection - ambulatory aides - or care to be delivered in the hospital or at home
• Identifies educational needs of patients and reinforces education that the patient has received
• Recognizes medical and/or surgical emergencies and initiates appropriate response
• Administers medications and observes for and records effectiveness of medications given
• Works with RN oversight to maintain a safe - structured environment and promote health within the unit's therapeutic framework
• Communicates with Veterans - families - and staff to support treatment goals Work Schedule: 12 Hour Rotating - Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 01042F - 01043F - 01044F - 01045F