Licensed Practical Nurse (Psychiatry)

Veterans Health Administration • Brockton, MA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is part of the Mental Health Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System and is located on the Brockton campus in the Homeless Domiciliary Program, a Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. The LPN provides direct patient care and supports unit safety and program requirements. The role uses personal computer and VISTA applications to complete duties.

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse or other appropriate licensed healthcare provider, the LPN works as part of an interdisciplinary team in the residential program. The LPN assists nursing and program staff in providing treatments that support residents’ physical and psychological well-being. Residents include male and female Veterans ages 18 and older who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Many face additional social, substance-use, mental-health, or physical-health challenges. The LPN coordinates care and referrals with the program’s MD/NP and monitors Veterans’ medical status as directed by the medical provider.

The full-performance level is GS-06, although selection may be made at GS-03 through GS-06. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with rotations that include weekends and holidays. A compressed schedule may be available. Telework and virtual work are not available. The work is primarily sedentary, with occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items; no special physical demands are required.

The position offers federal employment benefits, including paid annual and sick leave, paid federal holidays, possible paid parental leave, potential childcare subsidy eligibility, federal pension and 401(k), and federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized; permanent change-of-station relocation assistance is not authorized.

Requirements

• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program, or meet one of the stated education exceptions for military training, qualifying current VHA LPN/LVN employment, or licensure in a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• For GS-06 qualification: at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting GS-05 LPN/LVN performance requirements.
• For GS-05 qualification: at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 level or equivalent, along with the listed practical-nursing knowledge and competencies.
• For GS-04 qualification: six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; or approved-school graduation plus one year of qualifying nursing-care work; or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months’ duration.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and, if selected for a testing-designated position, pre-employment urinalysis.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in a SA Residential unit.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and participate in activities that support unit safety and program requirements.
• Work as a member of the interdisciplinary residential-program team under the direction of an RN or other appropriate licensed healthcare provider.
• Assist nursing and other program staff in providing treatments that support residents’ physical and psychological well-being.
• Coordinate care and referrals with the MD/NP managing medical care for the program.
• Monitor Veterans’ medical status as indicated by the medical provider.
• Carry out assigned patient care based on patient condition, using judgment to sequence procedures and treatments and to recognize, report, and record relevant information.
• Observe patients for physical or emotional changes related to medications or treatments, document changes, and report deviations to an RN or MD/DO.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations, seek assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Build constructive relationships with patients and families, support communication and socialization, and respect privacy and dignity.
• Perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, including patient preparation, assistance during examinations, equipment handling, and monitoring patient condition.
• Orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians in relevant duties.
• Seek educational opportunities and share new knowledge with staff to improve nursing practice.
• Use personal computer and VISTA applications in performing job duties.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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