Practical Nurse - Long term Care

Veterans Health Administration • Canandaigua, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Finger Lakes VA Medical Center is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to serve Veterans in its Community Living Centers (long-term care) as part of the Geriatric and Extended Care Team in Canandaigua, New York. The LPN works under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse and provides practical nursing care to patients with varied physical and behavioral needs. The role is part of an interdisciplinary team caring for patients in acute, sub-acute, or chronic stages of illness whose nursing needs are changing but predictable and require periodic assessment by a registered nurse.

The position involves carrying out nursing duties that require an understanding of the overall patient program, basic scientific principles, a broad range of technical skills, adapting procedures to individual patient needs, and recognizing connections between patients’ behavior and physical condition. Schedule and unit or patient assignments may vary because the facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The role is full-time, with day/night rotation or nights to be discussed at interview; compressed or flexible scheduling may be authorized.

This is an onsite, non-virtual position. Recruitment incentives are authorized for highly qualified candidates. Relocation assistance and permanent change of station benefits are not authorized. The full-performance level is GS-6; selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Graduation from a practical or vocational nursing school approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by NLNAC when the program was completed.
• Full, active, current, unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet the qualification criteria for the grade selected: GS-3 has no requirements beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires qualifying experience or qualifying education; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at GS-4 level or equivalent and demonstrated nursing-care knowledge and abilities; GS-6 requires at least one additional year of qualifying experience at GS-5 level or equivalent and demonstrated technical proficiency and clinical knowledge.
• Maintain BLS certification.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and required background/security investigation; applicants selected for testing-designated positions must undergo pre-employment urinalysis.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation and meet applicable identification requirements.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Meet the physical and mental/sensory demands of the position, including lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, bending, walking, climbing, reaching, pulling, pushing, repetitive motion, stooping, communication, reading, writing, keyboarding, recall, reasoning, and problem-solving.
• Be able to adapt to variable work pace, multiple priorities, frequent customer interactions, changing conditions, and a sometimes-noisy environment; use personal protective equipment when needed.

Nice To Haves

• Previous long-term care experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish positive relationships with patients, families, and staff using appropriate communication skills.
• Assist in collecting and documenting routine objective and subjective data for uncomplicated patient situations.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment and follow applicable safety and health standards.
• Provide safe, competent patient care and seek direction when needed.
• Assist with simple diagnostic measures, including collecting urine and stool specimens and other instructed specimens.
• Assist during emergencies and initiate CPR when indicated; maintain BLS certification.
• Administer selected medications, seek clarification of orders when needed, identify when PRN medications may be needed, and observe and report medication effects.
• Document medication administration and patient responses to PRN medications in the medical record.
• Record basic information in the medical record and report patient status to the registered nurse.
• Document patient, family, or significant-other teaching and their response.
• Respect patients’ dignity and individuality and safeguard confidential information and privacy.
• Assist with implementation of the unit-level quality improvement program.
• Maintain professional boundaries with patients, families, and staff.
• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary nursing team in providing holistic care to patients with changing nursing needs.
• Recognize and report patient status changes, safety hazards, equipment malfunctions, or supply deficiencies, and seek appropriate assistance.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for 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 in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment incentive (sign-on bonus) authorized for highly qualified candidates.

What This Job Offers

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