Licensed Practical Nurse - Residential

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Perry Point (MD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Federal retirement plan

Health/dental/vision insurance

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (Mental Health) to join the 364B residential unit at Perry Point, MD. The LPN will work with the nursing team to deliver patient-centered care, assist in care planning, and support a Veteran-focused environment.

The position requires active LPN licensure, English proficiency, and the ability to collaborate with RNs and physicians to ensure safe, effective care across a residential setting.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a practical nursing program and an active LPN/LVN license.
• English proficiency required for direct patient care and documentation.
• Preferred experience in long-term care or behavioral health settings.

Responsibilities

• Administer medications and document patient responses per policy.
• Provide patient care under RN/MD supervision and train less experienced staff.
• Perform vital signs, vaccinations, and health screenings as assigned.
• Document changes in patient condition and coordinate with the care team.

Skills

English proficiency

LPN/LVN licensure

Patient care

Medical documentation

Education

LPN license

State licensure

Tools

CPRS

Glucometer

EKG machine

Job description

Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse- Mental Health serves as a member of the nursing team in Mental Health and performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environments committed to serving the veteran. **This position is located in VAMC Parry Point - MD in the Mental Health unit 364B-Residential.

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: 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)
• Preferred Experience: One year experience in a long term care facility
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR - 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 - Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• AND 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
• GS-6: Completion of one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN AND 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 RN/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
• Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13The 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.Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• The LPN works under the supervision of an RN for the administration and evaluation of nursing care delivery to assigned Veterans
• The LPN participates in the interdisciplinary team with the development - implementation and evaluation of the Veterans' treatment plan while utilizing Veteran centered care
• Interacts with Veterans in various groups in accordance with the treatment plan
• observes - identifies and responds to Veterans' needs for nursing - medication and equipment-assisted care
• Must successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) and possess a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures within the LPN scope of nursing practice
• The incumbent will also administer vaccinations - complete screenings - take vital signs - ensure delivery of excellent - safe - Veteran centered care - collaborate with various providers and registered nurses and comply with documentation standards
• Duties may include but are not limited to: The LPN working in the 364B unit provides 24/ 7 coverage - with recurring duties that include but not limited to
• Preparation and administration of medications with proper techniques and procedures
• Provides patient education and completion of PRN effectiveness
• 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
• Collection of urine for toxicology Proper labeling of specimen Health and wellness inspection Completion of EKG and transmission of result Veteran check/ rounding Correct operation of glucometer machine and timely documentation of point of care testing critical care result in the CPRS Adheres to the Joint Commissions patient safety standards
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Night Shift - 8 or 12 hour shifts Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized 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 authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS-512-25454-F -FS-512-25455-F - FS-512-25456-F - and FS-512-25457-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized