Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse - Mental Health Residential Treatment Program (MH RRTP)

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, AR

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) in the Mental Health Residential Treatment Program (MH RRTP) provides patient care, diagnostic support, treatments, and documentation in psychiatric or substance use disorder settings under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN). The LPN/LVN performs assigned duties with guidance from the Nurse Manager or designee and is expected to demonstrate advanced technical competence and skill.

The position provides therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive care; administers and monitors medications; performs nursing procedures; observes and reports changes in patients’ physical and psychological conditions; and responds to urgent and emergent situations. The LPN/LVN works with patients and families, supports complex diagnostic procedures, contributes to the nursing team, and helps orient and train less experienced staff.

The work schedule is 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays, for 80 hours per pay period. The schedule may change based on facility needs. The position is not telework or virtual. Work takes place in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks and normal safety precautions, but may involve stressful situations and handling several tasks at once.

The full performance level is GS-06; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-06. Applicants must meet applicable education and licensure requirements, including graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing program and full, active, current, unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure, subject to stated exceptions. A preferred qualification is two years of mental health and/or substance use disorder experience.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a practical or vocational nursing school approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by NLNAC, subject to the listed exceptions.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a practical or vocational nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision.
• Meet grade-specific qualification criteria. GS-3 requires no qualifications beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 criteria include six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, or qualifying education and experience, or graduation from an approved program of at least 24 months. GS-5 requires one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent and the specified practical nursing knowledge and abilities. GS-6 requires one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and the specified abilities and knowledge for that grade.
• Ability to provide practical nursing care to patients with varied physical and/or behavioral problems and to work with an RN and/or physician in orienting or training less experienced staff, where applicable to grade.
• Ability to educate patients and/or family members about common disease processes, medications, and prescribed treatments, where applicable to grade.
• Knowledge and skill to prepare, administer, and document commonly prescribed medications, observe patient responses, and report condition changes, where applicable to grade.
• Ability to recognize the need for emergency measures, seek assistance, and assist with resuscitation procedures, where applicable to grade.
• Ability to recognize equipment malfunction, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies and report them promptly.
• Ability to carry out assigned care based on patient condition, use judgment to sequence procedures and treatments, and accurately recognize, report, and record patient information, where applicable to grade.
• Ability to observe and respond to patient needs, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education, while considering emotional, socioeconomic, and age-related factors, where applicable to grade.
• Knowledge of human behavior and ability to work effectively with patients, families, and staff; establish constructive relationships and respect privacy and dignity.
• Ability to support complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, including patient preparation, assistance during examinations, specialized instrument or equipment handling, and patient monitoring, where applicable to grade.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and complete applicable background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, application documentation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Subject to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal to be tested results in denial of employment.
• Must meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated under the stated conditions.
• Physical demands may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; may require personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of mental health and/or substance use disorder experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive patient care, including education for patients and families about disease processes, medications, and treatment plans.
• Observe and identify physiological and psychological changes in patient condition; accurately report and document findings, procedures, and medications administered.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications safely; recognize contraindications and evaluate effectiveness.
• Perform basic and specialized nursing procedures under supervision, including catheterization, nasogastric feeding, suctioning, sterile dressing application, and suture removal, while maintaining aseptic technique and infection-control protocols.
• Respond promptly to urgent and emergent situations, including cardiac or respiratory arrest, seizures, assaultive behavior, and suicidal or homicidal crises; initiate emergency measures and seek assistance as needed.
• Review patient charts, medical histories, and care plans; communicate patient needs and provide thorough hand-off reports.
• Monitor behavioral changes, provide emotional support, and escalate concerns to the RN or provider.
• Assist with mechanical restraints and monitor patients under suicide precautions, seclusion, or restraint according to policy.
• Follow safety standards, universal precautions, and facility protocols, including fire and disaster drills and security measures; report equipment malfunctions and safety hazards.
• Build constructive relationships with patients, families, and staff, applying customer service standards and respecting privacy and dignity.
• Participate as a responsible member of the nursing team; orient and train less experienced staff and serve as a preceptor when needed.
• Support complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures by preparing patients, assisting during examinations, handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients’ conditions.
• Complete assignments independently, prioritize tasks, and resolve conflicts using sound judgment and interpretation of regulations.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and share new knowledge with colleagues to improve practice.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements; subsidy may cover up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to $416.66 per month.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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