Licensed Practical Nurse - Long Term Care

Summary

The LPN at the Wilkes Barre VAMC Provides care and / or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served, and which is appropriate to the cognitive; emotional, and chronological maturation of the patient. Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age- specific needs and to provide care needed as described in the services' policies and procedures.

Duties

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The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for :

• Maintain BCLS certification
• Maintains nursing current, active, full and unrestricted licensure
• Demonstrates a positive image of nursing and the Medical Center and the VHA
• Attends in-service programs
• Completes mandatory in-services / reviews
• Adheres to dress code as established
• Mentors new employees to the unit
• Demonstrates responsibility to the position by reporting on time for scheduled tours of duty and takes into consideration the workload of the unit when requesting leave
• Completes assigned duties and responsibilities
• Responsible for providing Nursing Care to residents in Long Term care, dementia unit, respite, hospice, rehabilitation, transitional care and their families / significant others.
• Relates and interacts with patients and staff - Treats internal / external customers with respect - Welcomes additional help
• Begins to demonstrate a practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations in working effectively with patients, family and significant others
• Participates in group meetings to help patients share feelings, interact and function in accordance with the patient's treatment plan.
• Begins to demonstrate constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communications and socialization skills.
• Utilizes team building skills to work efficiently and effectively with other disciplines.
• Participates with the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan.
• Uses discretion in all confidential matters.
• Models commitment to customer service.
• Manages patient complaints effectively and promptly.
• Responds appropriately as a member of the Cardiac, Disaster, Violence, Fire Fighting, and / or Code Yellow Team.
• Handles assignments to other areas with professional behavior.
• Willingness to accept organizational changes and accepts constructive ideas for the betterment of the organization.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Uses sound judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines.
• Utilizes nursing process in practice
• Begins to demonstrate critical decision making skills.
• Has the knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex nursing care assignments, including assignments for acute care, long-term or ambulatory care, or psychiatric patients requiring skilled nursing care.
• Demonstrates ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing, medication and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal.
• Considers physical, emotional and social factors in modifying patient care plans.
• Participates in unit based performance improvement initiatives.
• Participates on Nursing, CORE, and / or Medical Center committees
• Demonstrates awareness of mission, vision, and value objectives of the CORE and Medical Center.
• Implements clinical guidelines as appropriate.
• Serves as a member of the nursing unit team with selected patients and provides care to them on a regular and recurring basis.
• Performs nursing skills in a safe manner that prevents personal injury to patients, self, or others.
• Maintains unit orderliness and cleanliness.
• Accurately reports and records significant patient information via hard or soft copies.
• Completed work needs only a general review by a registered nurse for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity with policy and nursing assignment.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Administers prescribed medications including Intravenous fluids (after instruction and supervised practice) excluding central IV lines and investigational drugs, and performs more complex treatments. Utilizes Omnicell medication system per policy.
• Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which includes preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and passing instruments, and monitoring the patient's condition.
• Attends interdisciplinary treatment team meetings on assigned patients and provides input as needed.
• Supports the patient and / or family members integration of the interdisciplinary treatment plan toward the achievement of discharge goals.
• Provides instructions to patient on preoperative and postoperative procedures which were previously given to the patient by the nurse or physician. After surgery, assists and instructs patients on how to keep lungs clear. Instructs patients on how equipment is used (oxygen, suction or respirator).

Work Schedule : 0000-0800 rotating weekends / holidays or 1545-1215 rotating weekends / holidays or 075-1615 rotative weekends / holidays

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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 :

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.

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 : 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-3

GS-4

GS-5

GS-6

References : VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G13.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.

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 : 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 :

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized : This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov for questions / assistance.

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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

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. VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.