Licensed Practical Nurse-Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program

Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is assigned to the Mental Health Service, Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program at the Saint Cloud VA Medical Center, where Veterans receive comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services for mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders. The LPN serves as a valued member of the nursing team, providing direct patient care activities and clerical support under the direction of the Registered Nurse or Provider.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Delivers comprehensive physical and emotional support to Veterans facing mental health challenges, as well as addressing their behavioral and physical requirements within the established scope of practice. Administers medications and injections to patients in accordance with facility policies, utilizing expertise in both medical and psychiatric medications relevant to the mental health environment. Collects urine samples and administers breathalyzer tests, along with other point-of-care specimen collection as required. Completes clinical reminders and reports data findings to the clinician, provider, or registered nurse. Facilitates therapeutic communication with Veterans and their families. Initiates and evaluates Veteran's participation in community groups and community meetings. Conducts focused assessments and implements both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions in accordance with facility policies and procedures. Communicates any deviations from the established baseline to the RN or Provider. Educates veterans and their family members about common medical conditions, medications, and prescribed treatment plans. Records observations and relevant information related to patient care in the electronic medical record system. Identifies, addresses, and reports both urgent and non-urgent situations as required. Assists with proper counting and maintenance of controlled substances. Participates in daily nursing report and treatment team meetings. Works alongside clinical coordinators and telehealth personnel to execute, assess, and enhance telehealth programs. Performs other selected duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time available. Shifts are scheduled Sunday through Saturday, day/evening or day/night, on a rotating basis. Rotating weekends and holidays are required. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Physical Requirements: This position requires some degree of fitness, strength, and agility. Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing, pulling, lifting arm overhead, and similar activities. The incumbent will provide care to patients with a variety of mental health diagnoses, some of whom may exhibit unpredictable, disruptive, or aggressive behaviors. If selected, questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed during a pre-employment physical evaluation. This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $40,000 annually, up to $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact [email protected] for more information.

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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. (See Education section of this announcement for exceptions.) Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. 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-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 - Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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-05 - 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 in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, in