Practical Nurse

The position will work within the Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP) at the Erie VA Medical Center. This position reports directly to the Nurse Manager, Behavioral Health/PRRTP. LPNs at this grade level are expected to provide direct resident care and 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. 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 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 5005/27, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated 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. ["Duties will primarily be performed in the PRRTP; however, re-assignment may be required based on resident care needs. Duties working in Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP) include but are not limited to: Treat or provide direct patient care within the requirements of practice/privileges/licensure Explains procedures to patients, using language which they understand and displays consideration of individual age related and gender specific patient needs. Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for patient centered care. Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation. Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet patient care needs Responds to patients calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the patient in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions. Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff, the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), patients, and visitors. Orients patients to the clinic. Provides emotional support to patients, and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments, including assignments for selected acute care, long-term or ambulatory care, or psychiatric patients requiring skilled nursing care. Fosters an environment of respect for individual resident and family/significant other rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Serves as Veteran's/family's/significant others' advocate. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with residents, family/significant others, and/or internal/external customers. Completes assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing non standard and specialized practical nursing activities, requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems. Demonstrates ability to accurately report and record significant patient information and uses good judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patients' condition. Completed work needs only a general review by a RN for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments. Counts controlled substances with RN and verifies current count on the \"Alcohol and Narcotics Inventory Certification Record.\" Prepares and administers prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, inhaled, injectable, and suppository medications according to policy and procedure. Correctly documents medications given or omitted in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) according to established policy and procedures. Documents effects of medications. Recognizes emergent or acute situations, responds appropriately, and reports to the RN or provider promptly. Reports untoward patient incidents, including medication errors, to Charge Nurse/Nursing Supervisor, and initiates incident report. Responds appropriately to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest, choking, and disaster or fire drills. Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to situations. Uses this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family and other staff members. Provides teaching in activities of daily living (ADL's) to patients and encourages them to participate in ADL's leading to increased independence. Provides or reinforces patient teaching related to medications, disease process, procedures, and self-care activities. Participates in more complex teaching for patient self-care, such as diabetic care, self-catheterization, etc. Understands we are a restraint free facility, but if warranted, have the knowledge to apply, observe and care for residents in restraints, documenting according to hospital policy and procedure. Adheres to and appropriately utilizes the Safe Patient Handling Program standards, practices, and recommendations. Lifts and transfers, according to policy and procedure, seeking assistance when appropriate, to prevent injury to the patient and self. Assists with end of life care, education and emotional support for the resident and family/significant others. Documents observations, therapeutic measures performed, and care provided following established policy and procedure. Collects subjective and objective data which contributes to the RN assessment and/or the patient reassessment. Work Schedule: 6PM-6AM 3 days a week and then an 8-hour overnight night shift one day a week every other week. This includes every other weekend. Compressed/Flexible: not available"]