Licensed Practical Nurse (Spinal Cord Injury Unit)

Veterans Health Administration•East Orange, NJ

18h•Onsite

About The Position

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. The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse in the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) unit is to deliver high-quality health care and exceptional customer service, supporting Veterans in a healing environment. You will perform advanced technical nursing duties under the guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee, focusing on patient comfort, safety, and rehabilitation. Major duties include but are not limited to: Provide fundamental, knowledge-based care under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), emphasizing patient comfort, safety, and rehabilitation support. Administer medications, perform wound and catheter care, manage bowel/bladder programs, conduct range-of-motion exercises, and monitor vital signs. Educate patients and families on self-care, medication management, new skills, durable medical equipment (DME), and lifestyle adjustments. Promote patient independence by encouraging self-care and balancing support with challenge. Offer emotional support and address patient and caregiver concerns in a comforting manner. Collaborate with RNs, therapists, and multidisciplinary team members to update care plans and prevent complications such as pressure injuries or infections. Document patient care accurately in the electronic health record (EHR). Observe patients for risks (e.g., self-harm, falls, confusion) and implement safety measures as needed. Maintain a clean, sanitary, and well-stocked unit environment. Pay particular attention to pain management, using multimodal approaches (medications, positioning, exercises) to address pain from injury or spasticity. Demonstrate alertness to patient vulnerability-both medical and emotional.

Requirements

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.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), at the time the program was completed.
Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed.
Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986.
Granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
Pending graduation from an approved, accredited school of practical or vocational nursing.
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.
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).
Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduate of 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.
One 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 knowledge and ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care and 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.
This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the 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.
Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
One year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent.
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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information.
Ability to observe, identify, and respond to a 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, 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, seeking assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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, 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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.

Nice To Haves

2+ years of acute care experience - acute rehab, med/surg, etc.

Responsibilities

Provide fundamental, knowledge-based care under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), emphasizing patient comfort, safety, and rehabilitation support.
Administer medications, perform wound and catheter care, manage bowel/bladder programs, conduct range-of-motion exercises, and monitor vital signs.
Educate patients and families on self-care, medication management, new skills, durable medical equipment (DME), and lifestyle adjustments.
Promote patient independence by encouraging self-care and balancing support with challenge.
Offer emotional support and address patient and caregiver concerns in a comforting manner.
Collaborate with RNs, therapists, and multidisciplinary team members to update care plans and prevent complications such as pressure injuries or infections.
Document patient care accurately in the electronic health record (EHR).
Observe patients for risks (e.g., self-harm, falls, confusion) and implement safety measures as needed.
Maintain a clean, sanitary, and well-stocked unit environment.
Pay particular attention to pain management, using multimodal approaches (medications, positioning, exercises) to address pain from injury or spasticity.
Demonstrate alertness to patient vulnerability-both medical and emotional.