Community Living Center- LPN

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

Citizenship

Citizen of the United States

(Noncitizens 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 - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006

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

VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986

and for their future personnel actions under this authority

The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions

Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school

Licensure

Full - active - current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States

An LPN who has or has ever had - any license 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 spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)

Grade Determinations: GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements

LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license

GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN

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

Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration

LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level

however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques

GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent

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 with patients - family members - professional and 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

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

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

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 only a general review by a registered nurse or physician appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures

Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education

In organizing/ delivering care - the LPN recognizes/ 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

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 23 - 2025

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 14 - 2025 - with weekly cut-off dates on Tuesdays going forward

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled

Major Duties: Uses sounds clinical judgment - demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assignments based on patient' conditions and needs

Utilizes knowledge of physical - social and emotional factors when planning patient care and uses this knowledge effectively in day to day interactions with patients and families

Recognizes deviations from normal and demonstrates the ability to respond to patients' immediate and long term needs

Performs complex treatments and procedures with exceptional skill and knowledge

As needed - prepares and administers medications correctly and understands the action and side effects of all medications administered

Performs complex treatments and procedures with exceptional skill and knowledge

Demonstrates age specific competency in delivering nursing care to clients from age 18 and over

Is able to distinguish the health needs related to age differences including the effects of substance abuse problems on the physical health of patients and provide age appropriate care

Participates in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings to assist in developing rehabilitative treatment goals for patients in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (MHRRTP) program

As needed - provides escort duties to veterans based on their care needs

Delivers nursing care as needed and directed at any of the two sites comprising the VA Butler Healthcare System - i.e. - emergency situation - staffing shortage - special projects

Applies knowledge of effective verbal interventions and preventative tactics when confronted with an aggressive and potentially assaultive patient

Utilizes knowledge of physical - social and emotional factors when planning patient care and uses this knowledge appropriately in emergency situations

during 1 :1 intervention or when 911 needs to be contacted

Recognizes and initiates life saving measures appropriately in the absence of other members of the health care team

Participates in planning and/or implementation of 911 or 1:1 services

Co-conducts groups to educate patients on medical aspects of their care while allowing them to share feelings - improve socialization skills and enhance their self-esteem

Applies knowledge of human behavior and the various degrees of physical and mental impairment - is able to modify patient/family teaching methods

Assists the professional nurse and allied health professionals in planning implementation of patient educational and recreational activities

Motivates patients to participate in learning and recreational activities to improve their quality of life

Recognizes patient care management difficulties or problems and makes suggestions for change

Communicates with residents and families in a calming reassuring and supportive manner

Assess

acute and subtle changes consistently in patients' mental and physical condition and intervenes appropriately

Adjusts assignments or prioritizes care based on his/her assessment of overall workload of the treatment team and patient care needs

Documents patient/resident response to the treatment plan - group therapy - patient education and other planned activities

Observes patient/residents of the MHRRTP per program guidelines and more frequently if clinically indicated

Recognizes and reports signs of physical and emotional abuse of patients - family and significant others

Establishes therapeutic relationships with MHRRTP residents and members of the treatment team

Maintains courtesy during telephone and direct verbal interactions with patient - families and visitors

Has ability to elicit feelings - attitudes and promote positive communication and social skills with patients/residents

Motivates others to support Medical Center/Service Line and MHRRTP policies and procedures

Demonstrates leadership with LPNs of lesser grade - social service assistants and health technicians in planning and implementing resident/patient care

Provides assistance to team members in managing difficult patients when acting as a team leader

Work Schedule: Rotating hours - weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive

Contact VHAVISN04HREDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance

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