Blind Rehabilitation Center Licensed Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • West Palm Beach, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse works in the Blind Rehabilitation Center, a 13-bed inpatient unit serving qualified Veterans and service members who are blind or have low vision. The center uses an interdisciplinary approach and provides programs and services in a safe, homelike environment. Its mission is to help people adjust to sight loss, learn skills and alternative techniques, reduce risk, improve quality of life, achieve independence, and develop positive attitudes, self-esteem, and self-worth.

Under the supervision of a registered nurse, the LPN provides direct nursing care, supports rehabilitation and restorative nursing goals, documents care and patient responses, and helps maintain a safe and clean unit. Duties include working with service dogs. The schedule may include 8- or 12-hour shifts on days, nights, weekends, and holidays; the supervisor and facility determine the final schedule. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate of a state-approved or appropriately accredited practical or vocational nursing program, or meet an applicable stated education exception.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet the applicable VA grade-level qualification criteria. GS-04 requires qualifying experience or education as specified; GS-05 and GS-06 require the knowledge, skills, and abilities described for those grades.
• Ability to provide practical nursing care and work appropriately with patients, families, nursing staff, and other care personnel.
• Ability to prepare, administer, and document medications and treatments within the applicable scope and procedures, and to observe, document, and report patient responses and changes in condition.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent care situations and take appropriate action as directed.
• Ability to identify and respond to patient care needs, use equipment-assisted care, and support patient and family education as applicable to grade.
• Ability to follow safety, infection-control, emergency, and documentation procedures.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated non-citizen appointment exception.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and background/security investigation; selected applicants are subject to onboarding requirements and required drug screening for testing-designated positions.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.
• Physical capacity for direct patient care, potentially including extended walking, standing, or sitting; moderate lifting; repeated bending; and kneeling.

Nice To Haves

• Acute care experience.
• Long-term care experience.
• Blind rehabilitation experience.
• Comfort working with service animals.

Responsibilities

• Respond to Veteran calls for assistance and address patient needs in a timely manner.
• Verify Veteran identification according to policy before providing care.
• Communicate relevant Veteran information during shift changes and assist coworkers as a team member.
• Assist registered nurses with admissions, transfers, and discharges; complete assigned duties under registered nurse supervision.
• Provide personal care, including bathing, shampooing, nail care, grooming, oral and denture hygiene, and morning and evening care.
• Promote Veteran independence, rehabilitation, and restorative nursing according to each Veteran’s plan of care.
• Change bed linens; assist with bedpans, urinals, and feeding; reposition Veterans and maintain body alignment to help prevent skin breakdown and deformity.
• Apply and observe comfort and safety devices as directed by the registered nurse.
• Follow safety, infection-control, handwashing, Universal Precautions, and isolation procedures; maintain a clean and orderly unit and promptly address environmental hazards that could cause trips or falls.
• Safely operate specialized beds, prosthetic devices, suction machines, mechanical lifting devices, and transfer aids, using proper body mechanics.
• Report faulty equipment and safety hazards; follow fire and disaster procedures, including RACE, and respond to utility failures and hazardous chemical situations according to policy.
• Document administered medications, care, treatments, patient responses, observations, measurements, and other information in clinical records and appropriate forms.
• Recognize and report acute changes in Veteran condition to the registered nurse.
• Maintain rapport with Veterans, families, volunteers, visitors, and coworkers; provide emotional support and attend to physical and psychosocial needs.
• Provide input into nursing care plans.
• Assist with diagnostic procedures, using sterile technique when appropriate; collect and label specimens for laboratory testing.
• Administer ordered oxygen and inhalation therapy; obtain and document pulse oximetry, oxygen flow rate or room air, and delivery route.
• Accurately obtain and document vital signs, weights, glucose finger sticks, intake, and output.
• Work in an area with service dogs.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.
• Annual leave accrual based on federal service, with possible credit for prior work or military service if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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