Licensed Practical Nurse-Community Living Center

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP available

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) at GS-7 to deliver high-quality resident care in our VA medical facilities.

You will support RNs and physicians, administer medications per policy, monitor patients, document responses, and participate in care planning and shifts. This role includes EDRP eligibility and federal benefits.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the state or NLNAC.
• Active licensure as a practical or vocational nurse in the United States.
• Proficient English skills for direct patient care and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe environment and provide resident care with supervision as needed.
• Administer medications and treatments per policy and record responses.
• Assist RN/MD with treatment plans and prioritization of care.
• Document patient assessments, changes, and interventions accurately.
• Participate in varied shift schedules and required trainings.

Skills

LPN/LVN licensure

English proficiency

Nursing care

Patient care

Documentation

Education

Practical or vocational nursing education

LPN/LVN licensure

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

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 (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Exceptions include: (1) 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.(2) 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.(3) 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 [ ] licensed practical 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)
• 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: Grade Determination
• In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A - 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-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select - complex LPN/LVN positions - as established by each health care facility
• To be advanced - employees must meet all of the following standards - provided the standard is part of their assignment
• (a) 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
• (b) 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
• (c) 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/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing - and - as appropriate - modifying patient care treatment
• They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations
• (d) 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
• (e) 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
• (f) 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
• (g) 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
• (h) 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
• **Continuation of Qualifications section below in Education section

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) performs a wide range of resident care and supportive duties in the Community Living Center (CLC)
• The LPN GS-7 must demonstrate an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction to provide care of the medically complex Veteran population
• The primary duties of the Licensed Practical Nurse may include but are not limited to: Maintain a safe environment using appropriate equipment - devices - and safety measures for all Residents with demonstrated special awareness of the needs of all Residents with impaired mobility
• Contribute to the evaluation of fall risk Residents and implement appropriate preventative measures
• assist Residents to cope with and/ or compensate for changes affecting mobility and balance for geriatric Residents - Residents with impaired mobility - surgery Residents - and orthopedic Residents
• Implement care for more complex/specialized Resident care duties based on broader knowledge and skills with less direct supervision
• Incorporate current Resident care data by gathering data and actively contributing to the development and modification of treatment plans
• Assist the RN and/or provider to appropriately prioritize overall Resident care needs and adjust plans of care delivery
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of Resident teaching - effective communication techniques - conducting nursing groups - conference participation and initiation
• Communicate calmly - courteously - and tactfully with all Residents - personnel - and visitors maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and medical center policies
• Demonstrate broad knowledge and skill with respect to medications - contraindications - actions - and recognition of the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential actual drug reactions and demonstrate the ability to proactively assist the RN or provider in managing the Resident's medications/treatments
• Perform capillary and/or whole blood glucose testing - evaluate glucose results - and act accordingly
• Contribute to the evaluation of pain/comfort status consistently using the scale of 1-10 or the FLACC scale and implements interventions to maintain comfort status
• Promote the values of cultural transformation and Resident centered care and actively seeks Resident choice in care plan participation and goal participation
• Identify and encourage participation in the rehabilitation aspect of Resident care - such as re-motivation and other Resident therapy groups - ensure Resident recreational needs are met and Resident is out of bed unless acutely ill
• Demonstrate knowledge of medical equipment and supplies with advanced skill to set up and/or operate specialized equipment
• Responsible for restorative care accomplished through - but not limited to such modalities such as ambulation - bowel and bladder training - dressing - grooming - bathing - oral hygiene - range of motion exercises and falls prevention modalities
• Work Schedule: Sun-Sat 7:00 am-7:30 pm or 7:00 pm -7:30 am or 7:00 am-3:30 pm - 3:00 pm-11:30 pm - 11:00 pm-7:30 am
• Various schedules that may include off-tours - weekends and holidays - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 #: 01128F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized