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Practical Nurse

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Salem, Virginia
Closing date
Oct 25, 2020

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Duties

Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse serves as a member of the nursing team in the Mental Health Service line. He/she provides care to Veterans with psychiatric and multiple medical diagnosis. The LPN participates in interventions that promote the Veteran attaining and maintaining maximum functionality.

This position in Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program
**** There are two tours available, please indicate in the assessment for which tour you would like to be considered ***

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Responsibilities

This position is in the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program unit
  • Possesses the knowledge and skills to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient condition, to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatment, and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information.
  • Initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
  • Observe, identify, and respond to the patient needs for care, including medication, equipment assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LVN/LPN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and age-related factors.
  • Performs procedures, collections, treatments, and assistance while monitoring and observing the patient, under the supervision of the RN.
  • Provides patient care in compliance with the policy and procedure and standards set forth by the Medical Center.
  • Works in collaboration with the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or the Health Care Provider (HCP).
  • Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous). Performs treatments according to established policies and procedures.
  • Observes for physical and/or cognitive changes in patient condition from prescribed medication, treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting deviations from the normal to the RN or HCP.
  • Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiates 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 patient and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communications and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual Veterans and rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery.

Two work schedules available:
  • Night Tour - 12:00 midnight to 08:00 am with Rotating Weekends and Holidays
  • Evening Tour - 3:30 pm to 12:00 midnight with Rotating Weekends and Holidays


Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process


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.
  • 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. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.

[(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: Must be proficient in both written and spoken English (as required by 38 USC 7402(d) and 7407(d).
  • Physical Standards: If selected, you will be required to pass a pre-employment physical exam.
Grade Determinations:

GS-6: In addition to the basic requirements the following qualification criteria must be met .
  • Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 instruments.
  • Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.

  • References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13

    Physical Requirements: This involves long periods of walking around the unit and requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, and reaching.

    Education

    IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

    Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

    Additional information

    Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

    This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

    It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

    This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

    VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

    Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

    If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

    Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Other

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

    Trust determination process
    Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

    Required Documents

    To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

    • License
    • 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations
    • Resume
    • Transcript


    VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

    The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

    • Cover Letter
    • DD-214/ Statement of Service
    • Disability Letter (VA)
    • License
    • 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations
    • Resume
    • SF-15
    • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
    • Transcript


    Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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