Licensed Practical Nurse Domiciliary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Milwaukee, WI

11d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the Domiciliary, in Building 123 on the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, within the Mental Health Division. The purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran. The Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) in the Mental Health Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH DRRTP) functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary mental health treatment team that provides care for residential patients with complex mental health issues, substance abuse, medical problems, homelessness, and other psychological issues using current mental health concepts and treatment modalities. The LPN/LVN is responsible for assisting in triage of medical problems, health promotion and prevention, first aid, group therapy, and coordination of the patient medical care with registered nurses and the patients primary care provider. The LPN/LVN also shares responsibility for maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment of care. This includes duties such as safety and medication rounds, unit presence for onsite unit awareness, monitoring patient and visitor unit entry and exit to include operating entry and exit buzzer system and observation of unit cameras, patient transport to hospital and from hospital units as needed, and contraband checks for safety and security of the unit. The (LPN/LVN) is considered a novice and performs within this functional statement under close supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee. Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• US Citizenship
• English Language Proficiency.
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the NLNAC at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
• Exceptions include: Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment.
• Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986.
• Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
• Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the US or the District of Columbia. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED)
• GS-3 Level: None beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-4 Level: Must have completed six 6 months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN OR Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures.
• GS-5 Level: Must have completed at least 1 full year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants /Health Technicians in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-6 Level: Must have completion of at least one full year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN that includes: Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Responsibilities

• Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient/employee information electronically, verbally, and written.
• Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment.
• Integrate and apply pertinent aspects of the Medical Center performance improvement program into his/her professional practice.
• Utilize nursing research and literature in daily practice.
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
• Attends to the care of the veteran in meeting the VA Medical Center's Vision and Mission.
• Assisting in triage of medical problems, health promotion and prevention, first aid, group therapy and coordination of the patient medical care with registered nurses and the patients primary care provider.
• Maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment of care.
• Performing safety and medication rounds.
• Unit presence for onsite unit awareness.
• Monitoring patient and visitor unit entry and exit to include operating entry and exit buzzer system and observation of unit cameras.
• Patient transport to hospital and from hospital units as needed.
• Contraband checks for safety and security of the unit.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree