Summary The Fayetteville VA Medical Center is recruiting a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Practical Nurse to join our Behavioral Health Care Teams. As a vital team member, the selected LPN will provide essential support to healthcare providers and RNs, in delivering high-quality patient care to Veterans Please submit your most Current, recent SF50. We will not accept an AWARD or LWOP SF50 for verification. Responsibilities The LPN GS 7 Nurse reports directly to the Nurse Manager or assigned supervisor. The incumbent works independently, with readily available guidance from an RN/HCP. Completed work requires only a general review by an RN/HCP for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity to policy and accepted nursing standards. Incumbent adheres to the following practice and performance guidelines: initiates, performs, and completes assigned duties in providing care to Veterans in inpatient behavioral health. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to approximately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient's condition; uses judgment in selecting appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and accurately recognizes, reports, and records relevant Veteran information. Completed work should need only a general review by a Registered Nurse (RN) for appropriateness and conformity with the department's established policies and procedures. Observes, identifies, and responds to the Veterans' needs for care including medication equipment-assisted care and patient and family education. In organizing and delivering care, he/she 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 and procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in Veteran's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documents noted changes, and reports any deviations to normal to the RN. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to recognize imminent safety risk(s) and emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance of the RN and or MD/Behavioral Health Provider, and initiates appropriate emergency interventions as directed. This may include utilization of the Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB), and escalation of medical and or psychiatric emergency interventions. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations, and reactions to situations, and utilizes this knowledge in working effectively with Veterans, family members, and or significant others, and the multidisciplinary team. This includes utilization of therapeutic communication skills, utilization and recovery language when engaging Veterans to participate in their recovery planning. Establishes constructive relationships with the individual Veterans and families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and promotes positive relationships, communication, and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual Veteran and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. He/She effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with Veterans, family members, and or internal/external customers. Demonstrates knowledge and skills in performing supportive duties for complex diagnostic tests and/other specialized equipment, and monitoring the Veteran's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting. Demonstrates knowledge and skills in participating therapeutic containment in lieu of disruptive behaviors(s) as deemed necessary. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. knowledge on evidence-based daily programming activities. Seeks current trends in recovery-based care outlined in the Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook (VHA 1160.01) and safety guidelines in the Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist (MHEOCC) directive (VHA 1167). Knowledge of professional nursing practice and the ability to apply the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation) with close supervision. Work Schedule: 7:45 AM -8:15 PM, alternating weekends Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizen may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part. 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 10006Licensure. 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. 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). Grade Determinations:GS-7. (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-6 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. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. (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, specialized tests/procedures. (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. 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). Preferred Experience: 2 years Mental Health E Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.