Licensed Practical Nurse

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lyons (NJ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Federal retirement benefits

Job summary

The Lyons VA Medical Center, part of the VA New Jersey Health Care System, is seeking a full-time Licensed Practical Nurse. The LPN will provide direct patient care, administer medications, and support the nursing team in a busy clinical environment.

Responsibilities include patient assessments, documentation, and assistance with procedures across multiple clinics. A valid LPN/LVN license and US citizenship are required, with opportunities in a federal health system offering comprehensive

Qualifications

• Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program.
• Active, full, current licensure as an LPN/LVN in the United States or DC.
• United States Citizenship per VA policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care in outpatient and clinical settings.
• Administer medications and document responses.
• Monitor patient condition and report changes to the care team.
• Assist physicians with diagnostic procedures and patient care activities.
• Maintain patient safety, privacy, and comfort in all interactions.

Skills

LPN/LVN license

Medication administration

Nursing assessment

Education

Licensed Practical Nurse program

State licensure

Tools

Electronic health records

Job description

Summary

The VA New Jersey Health Care System is currently recruiting for a full time Licensed Practical Nurse for located at the Lyons VA Medical Center in Lyons - NJ. The Licensed Practical Nurse performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran.

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
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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
• Exceptions include health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• Licensure: Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia
• 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:In addition to the basic requirements stated above - 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.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 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) 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
• GS-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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 - 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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: 3-5 years of experience in MH
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The duties of the position include but are not limited to the following: Performs assigned nursing care responsibilities requiring the use of advanced equipment - technology - or knowledge in procedures performed in the GU Clinic - Eye Clinic - General Medical - Surgical - Orthopedic - Diabetic - and Urology Clinics - the Vital Signs area - and Patient Transport
• Utilizes specialized equipment such as Doppler units - oximeters - visual field analyzers - electro-fulguration machines - cryothermia machines - computer terminals - and printers
• Reports and records current observations - such as physical condition - emotional response - and results of procedures
• observes skin conditions - variations in vital signs - and personal habits of patients/residents
• listens for clues to the patient's/resident's reaction to illness and treatment
• Assists the physician and/or nurse with therapeutic or diagnostic procedures - including skin biopsies - joint aspirations - phlebotomies - pap smears - pelvic examinations - minor eye surgeries - and minor GU procedures
• Obtains and arranges necessary equipment
• correctly positions the patient/resident and provides information and reassurance
• Escorts acutely ill patients/residents to and from clinics and/or outside the facility for special tests
• Provides one-to-one nursing care to assigned outpatients whose care requires close observation
• Demonstrates a high level of competency in medication administration by all routes according to established policy and procedures - and competence in administering intravenous fluids and/or medications according to provider orders and established policy
• Performs other related duties as indicated by the needs of the patient/resident and the unit
• Work Schedule: Rotating - will discuss during interview 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) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: GS-3: 561-14538F / GS-4: 561-14536F / GS-5: 561-14536F / GS-6: 561-14535F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized