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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Licensed Practical Nurse (Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program) Near Anchorage, AK

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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: Citizen of the United States.
• 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.
  • Exceptions include:
    1. Health care education in the military service or training in the military service that is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure meets the education requirements.
    2. 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 of the US, or District of Columbia.
• Language Proficiency: Eligible candidates must be proficient in English (spoken and written).

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: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN;
OR
Must have graduated 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
Must have graduated from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques.

GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
AND

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. 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.
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.
6. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.

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

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. Completed work should need only a general review by a RN/MD/DO for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.
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. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.
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. 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.
9. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of full-time LPN experience.

References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, April 10, 2003

The 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.

Qualifications requirements continued in Education section below...

Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Responsible for developing and maintaining a therapeutic professional helping relationship with residents admitted to the Domiciliary. Provides orientation to new residents by explaining Dom policies/procedures, treatment expectations and goals. Interviews each resident to assess skills associated activities of daily living, leisure and work interests, personal hygiene, interpersonal communication, etc. Maintains close contact with residents to ensure that their behavior and social adjustments are satisfactory.
• Administers medications as prescribed within individual scope of practice and within adherence to MHRRTP Safe Medication Management policy. Follows requirements of the bar code medication administration (BCMA) program. Identifies patient per policy, scans Veteran's ID card or wristband, and scans medications prior to administering medications. Completes PRN effectiveness on passed PRN medications within designated window. Stores and labels medications as required. Reports or verbalizes procedure to report medication errors, adverse drug events and/or adverse drug reactions.
• Provides individual counseling as needed, applying past experience and knowledge of problems. Demonstrates the ability to work with residents who have a variety of physical, mental, emotional and behavior problems using different techniques. Appropriately identifies or resolves residents problems or refers them to staff with specific clinical expertise.
• Treats residents, staff, and visitors in a courteous and positive manner. Uses good judgment, tact and discretion in dealing with residents who have difficulty conforming to acceptable standards or complying with requirements for acceptable adjustment to Domiciliary living.
• Provides crisis intervention in situations of a medical, psychiatric and/or behavioral nature. Utilizing high degree of independent judgment, promptly assesses the situation and initiates appropriate action to secure medical care or police assistance. Utilizes appropriate precautions in cases of injury, potential suicide or infectious diseases.
• Takes resident vital signs in routine and emergent situations, refers ill residents to the appropriate medical personal, and offers assistance to medical personal in all emergent situations.
• Monitors compliance with treatment plan requirements as well as Dom regulations. Communicates with the treatment teams and documents in the medical record, treatment plan compliance, conformity with Domiciliary rules and regulations and behavioral observations.
• Takes appropriate action when residents behavior violates Dom requirements. Documents these incidents in the electronic medical record.
• Receives telephone calls from beneficiaries, relatives, friends, other VA facilities, service organizations, community agencies, etc. relating to residents under his/her supervision and may provide information in accordance with VA Regulations and Release of Information policies.
• In the case of unconscious residents, initiates basic cardiac life support utilizing Basic Life Support (BLS) training, Personal Protective Equipment and the Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED).

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Performs regular administrative functions, e.g. completes progress notes, updates MHRRTP forms.
• Has regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy and VHA policy. The employee is responsible for (1) protecting that data from unauthorized deletion, and (2) following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc.
• Coordinates with back-up staff to ensure that urgent tasks are accomplished in case of absence. Provides back up to other staff during their absence.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean, safe and healthful environment for all residents. Makes daily inspections to check health, safety, and security problems. Initiates appropriate corrective action including work orders or calling for emergency repairs.
• Directs appropriate response to fire drills and or fire or disaster situations. Instruct residents in appropriate procedures.
• Conducts locker inspections for health, welfare, safety and security purposes.

Duties listed are for the GS-6 full performance level, duties for developmental grades will differ in level of complexity and supervision.

Work Schedule: Rotating Day and Evening Tours
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact V20CompensationTeam@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary