Summary

The Inpatient Mental Health LPN provides holistic patient care to patients assigned to the Inpatient Mental Health unit. Inpatient Mental Health utilizes a Recovery Model of Care whereby the treatment plan reflects the specific needs of the patient and decisions are driven by national standardized protocols.

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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• Note: must submit transcript with application
• 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
• An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• Licensed practical or vocational nurses 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)
• 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-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 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: (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• (b) 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
• (c) 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
• (d) 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
• (e) 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
• (f) 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-06 (Full Performance Level): In addition to the basic requirements stated above the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.GS-6 (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN
• (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• (c) 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 registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• (d) 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
• (e) 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
• (f) 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
• (g) 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
• (h) 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
• (i) 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,
• (j) 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: This is a medical and mental Health Unit 1 Year of Inpatient Mental Health or Acute Care Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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 GS03 to GS06

Duties

• Demonstrates competence in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• The LPN has an exceptional degree of knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing care assignments for both inpatient and outpatient care, which include performing nonstandard and specialized activities sufficient to solve a range of complex nursing problems of considerable difficulty and responsibility, under very general supervision
• In addition to possess broader knowledge and skills for
• increased involvement in the development and modification of the Veterans plan of care, ability to exercise independent technical judgment, and possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of practical nursing
• The Orlando VA Healthcare System is an interdisciplinary teaching facility with a large outpatient psychiatric population and Veterans with multiple medical co-morbidities
• The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over
• Work Schedule: 7:00pm - 7:30am Compressed Tours, requiring 6 12 hour shifts and 1 8 hour shift per pay period
• Alternating Holidays and Weekends to meet the needs of the organization
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized