Licensed Practical Nurse - CLC

Veterans Health Administration • Northport, NY

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring a Licensed Practical Nurse for the Community Living Center at the VA Medical Center in Northport, New York. The LPN works under the direction of a registered nurse and reports to the Community Living Center Nurse Manager. Completed work receives a general review for appropriateness and conformity with the employee’s license, policies, and procedures. The full-performance level is GS-06; selection may be at GS-03 through GS-06.

The LPN provides and documents practical nursing care, observes and reports changes in patients’ conditions, and contributes to patient-driven, holistic care planning. The role involves collaboration with care providers, nursing staff, patients’ families and caregivers, and internal and community-based services. The LPN provides patient and family education and basic health coaching, supports transitions of care, and participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning and evaluation.

Duties include medication administration; oxygen therapy; delegated procedures and treatments; vital signs and blood glucose testing; EKGs and other diagnostic procedures as indicated; documentation; and checking expiration dates of medications and supplies. The LPN follows infection-control, safety, security, medication-administration, and equipment-handling procedures; responds appropriately to urgent or emergent situations; and helps maintain a respectful, confidential, patient-centered environment. The position also includes assisting with orientation and competency validation of students, peers, and clerical staff.

The work schedule consists of 12-hour night shifts from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and one 8-hour shift per biweekly pay period. Weekends and holidays are required. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station authorization are not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated limited exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the applicable experience, education, or training requirements for the selected grade. Basic qualifications include six months of general experience; or one year of relevant high-school-level coursework; or completion of a qualifying intensive nursing-assistant course. Grade-specific qualifying LPN/LVN experience or education may also apply.
• For GS-5, one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, plus the specified practical nursing knowledge and abilities, including medication administration, patient education, teamwork, documentation, and emergency response.
• For GS-6, one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, plus the specified abilities in patient care, judgment, documentation, medication administration, patient and family education, emergency response, communication, and support for complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures.
• Meet applicable licensure, educational, or certification requirements before appointment if selected while those requirements are pending.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation; applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Meet the physical requirements described in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• Any education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Nice To Haves

• Long-term care experience.

Responsibilities

• Observe, record, and report changes in patients’ conditions, and document care and patient responses.
• Assist in developing and revising patient-driven holistic care plans and participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and evaluation.
• Perform and document assigned nursing care, including oxygen therapy, medication administration, delegated procedures and treatments, vital signs, blood glucose testing, EKGs, and other diagnostic procedures as indicated.
• Check expiration dates of medications and supplies and follow safe medication preparation and administration practices.
• Recognize urgent or emergent situations, seek assistance, and intervene as directed when appropriate.
• Provide patient and family education and basic health coaching to support self-management, prevention, wellness, and patient-driven goals.
• Communicate and collaborate with providers, RN care managers, nursing assistants, families and caregivers, and internal and community-based services to support care and transitions.
• Follow infection-control, universal-precaution, safety, security, fire, and disaster procedures; handle and pre-clean reusable medical equipment appropriately.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and protect patient and family rights, privacy, and dignity.
• Assist with orientation and competency validation for students, peers, and clerical staff.
• Complete mandatory reviews, including motivational interviewing, to promote patient self-management.
• Maintain a respectful, diverse, and patient-centered environment and promote patient and personnel safety.
• Demonstrate competence with equipment needed for assigned duties and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, or supply deficiencies.
• Seek educational opportunities and share knowledge to improve nursing practice.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed