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This announcement is for Licensed Practical Nurse- Mental Health/Domiciliary or Community Living Center (Long Term Care) for Various vacancies at the Martinsburg VA Healthcare System and surrounding Community. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, the following criteria must be met for each grade. GS-3: No requirements beyond the above listed basic requirements. however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher-level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4: Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-4 LPN/LVN. In addition to the above basic requirements and experience, you must also demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. 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. 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. 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. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. 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. (KSAs must be supported by your resume to be creditable.) 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 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. In addition to the above basic requirements and experience, you must also demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Technically proficient 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; 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. (These KSAs must be supported by your resume to be creditable.) Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. This position requires the ability to lift 35 Lbs. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Work requires the ability to physically intervene with disruptive patient/Veteran and protect self and others from injury using the knowledge gained from training. The LPN must complete annual. Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard, dated April 10, 2003 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. ["LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE- Community Living Center (Long Term Care): The Licensed Practical Nurse serves as a member of the nursing team in any Community Living Center (CLC) house. He/she provides specialized care to residents with multiple disease processes on a regular and recurring basis. The incumbent is expected to be vigilant in recognizing changes in residents' conditions, astute in assessing the need for intervention which may be of emergent nature requiring immediate attention. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs nursing procedures appropriate to grade level approved by Nursing such as: Bladder catheterizations/irrigations. Enteral tube feedings including instillation of medications via enteral feeding tubes. Oxygen therapy to resident using cannula or mask, tracheostomy. Tracheostomy care including suctioning and cleaning, inner cannula changes and cuff deflation. Complete ostomy care. Removal and application of simple to complex dressings on all types of wounds. Wound irrigations. Bowel and bladder programs and training. Application and/or removal of braces, splints and slings. Post-mortem care. LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE- Mental Health/Domiciliary: The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is directly responsible to the Registered Nurse (RN) for providing direct patient care. The Nurse Manager is responsible for the supervision and performance evaluation. Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state accrediting agency and/or the National League of Nursing. Possesses an unrestricted license to practice as a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse and maintains active BLS training/certification. Duties include but are not limited to the following: When necessary, performs or assists with basic nursing care and ADLs for patients with various Psychiatric/Mental Health diagnoses. Considers the cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological development of young adult, adult and geriatric patients while providing patient care. Assists with admission of new patients to the unit (e.g., assist with new patient orientation, armband placement, armband alerts, vital signs, weight/ height, belongings inventory, breathalyzer). Recognizes and responds to the need for initiating emergency measures (e.g., call for Rapid Response Team, Code Blue, initiate CPR and/or Heimlich maneuver, calling crisis team when such emergency measures are indicated). Ability to facilitate group activities and conduct appropriate individual conversation with the patient. Maintains appropriate professional boundaries. Reports patient behavior changes to RN. Maintains level of patient observation per order (special nursing observation). Knowledge, skill and ability to perform finger stick glucose testing, collecting lab specimens per procedure (e.g., U/A or Urine Drug Screen.) Accompany patients to other areas of the Medical Center and supervises to ensure patient safety. Participates in patient education including no smoking policy. Demonstrates ability to complete work assignment with detailed supervision and instruction from the RN. Demonstrate competency in the removal and application of simple to complex treatment wound dressings per physician's order. Work Schedule: Multiple tours available - subject to change - to meet staffing needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #: Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health/Domiciliary or Community Living Center (Long Term Care)/FS-000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until 1/17/2023 and may be extended an additional 30-day increments at the request of the service if vacancies have not been filled or until all positions are filled. There will be multiple cut-off dates with the first being 15 days after the initial opening date of 12/14/2022. Additional 30-day cut-off dates will be established until all vacancies have been filled. Candidates will be referred to the selecting official based off the number of applicants. Applications will be reviewed, as received, with 50 applicants reviewed for each cut-off date. Additional candidates may be referred based on hiring needs. Your application will remain on file for 60 days from the date of submission. For further consideration thereafter, you must re-apply."]

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