Licensed Practical Nurse - Community Living Center

Department of Veterans Affairs•Erie, PA

58d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) vacancies in the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Erie VA Medical Center & will remain open until 12/31/2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 11/24/2025, with subsequent cut-off dates weekly. (LPN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting. This position will report directly to the Manager, Community Living CenterDuties include but are not limited to: Explains procedures to patients, using language which they understand and displays consideration of individual age related and gender specific patient needs. Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for patient centered care. Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation. Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet patient care needs Responds to patients calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the patient in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions. Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff, the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), patients, and visitors. Orients patients to the clinic. Provides emotional support to patients, and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments, including assignments for selected acute care, long-term or ambulatory care, or psychiatric patients requiring skilled nursing care. Completes assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing non standard and specialized practical nursing activities, requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems. Demonstrates ability to accurately report and record significant patient information and uses good judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patients' condition. Completed work needs only a general review by a RN for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments. Prepares and administers prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, inhaled, injectable, and suppository medications according to policy and procedure. Correctly documents medications given or omitted in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) according to established policy and procedures. Documents effects of medications. Recognizes emergent or acute situations, responds appropriately, and reports to the RN or provider promptly. Reports untoward patient incidents, including medication errors, to Charge Nurse/Nursing Supervisor, and initiates incident report. Responds appropriately to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest, choking, and disaster or fire drills. Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to situations. Uses this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family and other staff members. Provides teaching in activities of daily living (ADL's) to patients and encourages them to participate in ADL's leading to increased independence. Provides or reinforces patient teaching related to medications, disease process, procedures, and self-care activities. Participates in more complex teaching for patient self-care, such as diabetic care, self-catheterization, etc. Performs the most complex treatments and procedures according to policy, including but not limited to: range of motion exercises, application of heat and cold, wound care changing complex sterile and clean dressings, weights, vital signs. Collects specimens such as blood, urine, sputum, and stool for laboratory analysis. Sets up for and performs treatments that require auxiliary equipment, for example: oxygen, spirometry, nebulizer treatments, and standard 12 lead EKG's (after demonstrating competence). Adheres to and appropriately utilizes the Safe Patient Handling Program standards, practices, and recommendations. Lifts and transfers, according to policy and procedure, seeking assistance when appropriate, to prevent injury to the patient and self. Prepares patients for tests, examinations, and treatments. Applies assistive/protective devices such as, splints, binders, or prosthetic appliances. Documents observations, therapeutic measures performed, and care provided following established policy and procedure. Collects subjective and objective data which contributes to the RN assessment and/or the patient reassessment.

Responsibilities

Explains procedures to patients
Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for patient centered care
Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation
Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet patient care needs
Responds to patients calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the patient in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions
Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff, the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), patients, and visitors
Orients patients to the clinic
Provides emotional support to patients, and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status
Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments
Completes assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing non standard and specialized practical nursing activities
Demonstrates ability to accurately report and record significant patient information and uses good judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines
Prepares and administers prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, inhaled, injectable, and suppository medications according to policy and procedure
Correctly documents medications given or omitted in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) according to established policy and procedures
Documents effects of medications
Recognizes emergent or acute situations, responds appropriately, and reports to the RN or provider promptly
Reports untoward patient incidents, including medication errors, to Charge Nurse/Nursing Supervisor, and initiates incident report
Responds appropriately to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest, choking, and disaster or fire drills
Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to situations
Provides teaching in activities of daily living (ADL's) to patients and encourages them to participate in ADL's leading to increased independence
Provides or reinforces patient teaching related to medications, disease process, procedures, and self-care activities
Participates in more complex teaching for patient self-care, such as diabetic care, self-catheterization, etc.
Performs the most complex treatments and procedures according to policy
Collects specimens such as blood, urine, sputum, and stool for laboratory analysis
Sets up for and performs treatments that require auxiliary equipment
Adheres to and appropriately utilizes the Safe Patient Handling Program standards, practices, and recommendations
Lifts and transfers, according to policy and procedure, seeking assistance when appropriate, to prevent injury to the patient and self
Prepares patients for tests, examinations, and treatments
Applies assistive/protective devices such as, splints, binders, or prosthetic appliances
Documents observations, therapeutic measures performed, and care provided following established policy and procedure
Collects subjective and objective data which contributes to the RN assessment and/or the patient reassessment