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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Practical Nurse (Mental Health/Community Living Center/Primary Care) Near Dayton, OH

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.
• 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.

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 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) 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 (c) 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 response to a patient's needs for care including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education.
• 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.
• 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part 11, Appendix G-13.

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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continues walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Responsibilities:

Major duties for Mental Health and Community Living Center include but not limited to:

• Assists with the movement and mobility of the patient/resident by turning, lifting, moving, transferring and escorting patient/resident.
• Provides for nutrition, elimination and hygiene needs of the patient/resident.
• Provides teaching, such as medications and equipment/special instructions, to patients/residents and their families.
• Completes walking rounds and receives report on all patient/resident with oncoming and off-going charge person or team leader.
• Prepares and administers medications, as outlined in the policy and procedure manual.
• Checks the crash cart/AED.
• Records in the medical record nursing care, observations, procedures, vital signs, treatments and medications.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability, as delegated, for the nursing unit, under the direct or indirect supervision of the professional registered nurse.
• Communicates with consideration, empathy and respect for residents/families, co-workers and visitors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Major duties for Primary Care include but not limited to:

• Performs assigned technical procedures; e.g., weights, blood pressures, pulse, temperatures, and the like.
• Prepares and administers medications, as outlined in policy and procedure manuals.
• Assists with diagnostic or therapeutic procedures done in the clinic.
• Completes ALL clinical reminders assigned to LPNs during pre-visit check-in with Veteran and alerts PCP to any abnormal findings.
• Participates in the admission, transfer or discharge of the patient.
• Provides for continuity of care in instructing patients about equipment, laboratory needs, and/or procedures to be performed prior to next visit, and explains to patient and their families/significant others medication instructions and how medicine can affect disease processes.
• Provides instructions on physical limitations or enhancements of physical activity to promote better outcomes for the patient.
• Instructs patient on procedures to be performed; e.g., CT scans, Doppler study, ultrasound, etc.
• Checks the AED, glucometer, and reports any problems.
• Monitors medication refrigerator temperature, reports when out of range.
• Contributes to PACT huddles and interdisciplinary care team meetings/conferences. Contributes subjective and objective data to the nursing care regime.
• Initiates IV Therapy (Must have an Ohio of Nursing Intravenous Therapy card or be approved to start IVs through their state licensing authority).
• Notifies supervisory staff nurse and/or supervisor of any problems or changes in patient condition.
• Notifies Lead RN/Nurse Manager when there are large spills, linens needed, etc., and she/he informs EMS supervisor.
• Completes clinical reminders that are due, completes appropriate documentation regarding patient care provided and assists in completion of forms for patients.

Work Schedule: Day, Evening, and Night shifts (8 or 12 hours: If completing a 12-hour schedule, will be required to complete an additional 8 hours per pay period to achieve 80 hours per pay period). Candidates selected for dayshift tours may be required to participate in off-tour rotations as mandated.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91548 / 91549 / 91550 / 91551 /91566 / 91567 / 91568 / 91569
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary