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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Licensed Practical Nurse Long Term Care Near Reno, NV

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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the ACEN.
• English Language Proficiency: LPN/LVN 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)
• 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.

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-3
Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4
Experience: Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN.
OR
Education and Experience. 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
Education: Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.

GS-5
Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-4 LPN/LVN.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements and grade determinations, applicant must demonstrate the following:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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
Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-5 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements and grade determinations, applicant must demonstrate the following:

1. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.

Physical Requirements: Physical qualifications require the ability to stand. walk, bend. and move freely. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients. Must have good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity. Must be clean and neat in appearance. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative. Work is accomplished predominantly on the nursing unit and through escorting to various clinics or hospital areas. The physical surroundings involve working with the acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, which may cause discomfort related to negative verbal and physical activities from these patients.

References: VA Handbook 5005 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-03 to GS-06.

Responsibilities:

**This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 29, 2023 with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.**

The Long-Term Care Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct care to Veterans with a variety of chronic medical conditions. On this 60-bed unit, LPNs work alongside RNs & NAs to care for Veterans with an array of conditions including short and long stay rehabilitation needs, SCI, dementia care and hospice. The CLC LPN provides 24/7 care in a homelike environment. This position is located at the main Reno VA campus. A recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Major Duties include but not limited to:

• Provides practical nursing care with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. The LPN provides nursing care to chronically ill and/or stabilized acutely ill patients who require rehabilitation and nursing services in the CLC, a VA Long Term Care (LTC) facility.
• Carries out assigned patient care based on the patents' 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.
• 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 medication/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
• 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 inter/external customers.
• Obtain and process blood, urine and other samples for laboratory testing as ordered by a provider and in accordance with unit and facility guidelines.
• Performs support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patients, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialize equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during and following the procedure.

Preferred Experience:

• 1 year of experience working in a skilled nursing/long-term care facility or unit.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) provider card issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN

Work Schedule: Variable schedules; Must be flexible to able to accept all shifts.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Recruitment Incentive: A recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
EDRP Authorized: Contact Susan.Bringel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary