Licensed Practical Nurse- Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Services (Murfreesboro)

Veterans Health Administration • Murfreesboro, TN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Services unit at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Licensed Practical Nurse supports patient care in rehabilitation services, including assisting the Pelvic Physical Therapist with internal examinations and gathering data for outpatients and new admissions. The role protects patient privacy, observes and documents patients’ general condition and changes in behavior or physical condition, and reports findings to the Physical Therapist. The nurse participates in patient care conferences and contributes to nursing and interdisciplinary care plans, patient education, and the evaluation of psychological and educational needs.

The position also includes administering oxygen as directed; applying abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, and ace bandages as directed; helping lift, move, transfer, and transport patients; using patient lifting devices when applicable; and recognizing and initiating emergency measures consistent with training. The nurse verifies signed informed consent before procedures and diagnostic tests, obtains and records vital signs and other measurements, and documents patient teaching and response to care.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is a permanent, non-virtual position. Telework is not available.

Requirements

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission when the program was completed.
• 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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-7 advancement, at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting GS-6 performance requirements; the announcement also describes this as a minimum of three years of LPN experience.
• Knowledge and skills to carry out specialized patient-care duties in selected complex inpatient or outpatient settings and contribute to patient health plans and treatment plans.
• Ability to help an RN and/or MD/DO prioritize patient-care needs, recognize subtle physical and emotional changes, document care and responses accurately, and report changes requiring higher-level intervention.
• Ability to assist with prescribed medications and treatments, administer and record them according to policy, recognize possible drug reactions, and report changes promptly.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent care situations, seek appropriate assistance, and intervene as directed.
• Ability to help patients and families promote healthy lifestyles and communicate effectively with difficult-to-care-for patients or family members.
• Ability to contribute to improving care delivery and patient or family satisfaction, and to apply customer-service standards.
• Knowledge and skill in specialized procedures and practices sufficient to support other staff with complex or specialized patient care and serve as a role model or mentor.
• Ability to support RN or MD/DO oversight of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff and report deviations from normal practice.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and be physically and mentally able to perform the duties.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds or more, twist and/or bend, and stand and/or walk almost constantly during the day.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and satisfy stated pre-employment screening, identification, background, and onboarding requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Pelvic Physical Therapist with internal exams.
• Assist with data collection for outpatients and new admissions.
• Provide for patients’ privacy.
• Observe, report, and document signs and symptoms of patients’ general condition.
• Attend patient care conferences.
• Provide input into the Nursing Care Plan and/or the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
• Assist in evaluating patients’ psychological and educational needs.
• Administer oxygen as directed.
• Apply abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, and ace bandages as directed.
• Assist with lifting, moving, transferring, and transporting patients; use patient lifting devices when applicable.
• Report and document patient progress or changes in behavior or physical condition to the Physical Therapist.
• Recognize and initiate emergency measures consistent with training.
• Ensure signed informed consent is present before procedures and diagnostic tests.
• Use identified learning needs to provide patient teaching, including PMRS education, and document teaching in the medical record.
• Obtain and record vital signs and other measurements, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, intake and output, height, and weight.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income, eligible-child, cost, and monthly-limit conditions.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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