Practical Nurse-Psychiatric

Veterans Health Administration • Buffalo, NY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Buffalo VA Medical Center is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse to join the Nursing, Mental Health team. The practical nurse works as a member of an interdisciplinary team, providing holistic care to patients in acute, sub-acute, or chronic stages of illness whose changing nursing needs are predictable and require periodic assessment by a registered nurse. The position performs practical nursing care within the scope of licensure, supporting patient safety, treatment, and well-being while collaborating with registered nurses and other team members.

The LPN participates in planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. Duties include collecting and documenting patient information, contributing to care planning and shift reports, administering and documenting medications, monitoring treatments and patient responses, supporting diagnostic procedures, and providing patient and family education. The LPN maintains a safe and therapeutic environment, recognizes urgent or emergent situations, initiates appropriate interventions, and upholds patient privacy, dignity, and professional boundaries.

The work schedule is 6:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. or 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; the position includes a 12-hour shift and one 8-hour tour during each pay period. Telework is unavailable, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives, as well as permanent change of station, are not authorized. The full performance level is GS-06, and selections may be made at grades GS-03 through GS-06.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing school, or an applicable stated exception to the education requirement.
• Full, active, current, unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an applicable grandfathering provision may apply to current VHA employees.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to perform practical nursing duties within the scope of licensure, including medication administration and patient care.
• GS-4 qualification, if appointed at that grade: six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; or graduation from an approved school plus one year of qualifying nursing care work; or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months' duration.
• GS-5 qualification, if appointed at that grade: at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, with demonstrated practical nursing care, patient/family education, teamwork, medication preparation and documentation, emergency response, and safety skills.
• GS-6 qualification, if appointed at that grade: at least one additional year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, meeting GS-5 performance requirements and demonstrating the listed patient-care, medication, emergency response, communication, and specialized procedure support competencies.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and required background/security investigation; selected applicants must complete online onboarding and applicable pre-employment requirements.
• For applicable applicants, comply with pre-appointment drug testing and the seasonal influenza vaccination program requirement for VA health care personnel.
• Complete all required application documentation and, upon appointment, serve the applicable one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• One year of psychiatric or mental health experience.
• One year of medical floor experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain positive relationships with patients, families, and staff using appropriate communication skills.
• Assist in collecting and documenting objective and subjective data, including in more complex patient situations.
• Participate in patient-centered conferences and shift reports and contribute information to the nursing plan of care.
• Collaborate with registered nurses to develop and implement individualized plans of care and appropriate sequences of procedures.
• Provide competent patient care while ensuring safety for patients, staff, visitors, and self; seek direction as necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment; report actual and potential hazards and follow safety and health standards.
• Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment; report equipment problems, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies promptly.
• Assist with routine diagnostic measures and support complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures, including preparing patients and equipment and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Perform or assist with nursing care addressing psychosocial and spiritual well-being, hygiene, comfort and privacy, activity, rest, nutrition, elimination, skin integrity, rehabilitation, and safety.
• Recognize emergent situations, initiate appropriate interventions, and initiate CPR when indicated while maintaining BLS certification.
• Administer selected medications, including psychotropic medications; seek clarification of orders when needed and identify the need for PRN medications.
• Document medication administration and patient responses to PRN medications in the medical record according to policy.
• Assist with monitoring prescribed therapies, such as oxygen therapy, and implementing treatment programs.
• Record pertinent information in the medical record and report patient status to a registered nurse.
• Document patient, family, or significant-other teaching and their responses.
• Help orient patients, families, and staff to unit routines and applicable VA Western New York Health Care System and Network 2 policies.
• Work cooperatively and courteously as an interdisciplinary team member, respecting patient dignity, individuality, privacy, and confidentiality.
• Assist with implementation of the unit's quality improvement program.
• Report occupational illness or injury promptly to the supervisor and complete mandatory requirements and competencies by their due dates.
• Maintain professional boundaries and apply relevant growth, development, and age-specific care considerations when treating veterans.
• Identify veterans' physical, social, psychological, and cultural needs when delivering care.
• Provide education and orientation to less experienced LPNs/LVNs, nursing assistants, or health technicians where applicable to the grade and assigned duties.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share relevant learning with staff.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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