Psychiatric Practical Nurse

Department of Veterans Affairs•Atlanta, GA

44d•Onsite

About The Position

he Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS-6 functions as a member of the nursing and treatment teams in planning and implementing a full range of practical nursing care for veterans. He/she provides complex age-specific and population specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients or outpatients with physical, mental, behavioral, or psychosocial needs, according to assignment and training. VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The LPN GS-6 nurse is characterized by the employee's: Demonstrate ability to review orders and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition, to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, to accurately report and record significant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by the RN or provider for appropriateness and conformity with established policies and procedures. Demonstrate ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing, medication, and equipment-assisted care, and to recognize deviations from normal. In modifying care plans, the LPN GS-6 considers physical, emotional, and social factors. Demonstrate practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations. Demonstrated ability to use this knowledge in working effectively with patients, families, and other staff members. 1) Patient Care activities, as appropriate to assignment, (includes, but is not limited to): Provides for the patient's privacy and safety. Assists with data collection for new admissions. Observes, reports, and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition. Actively contributes to nursing and/or interdisciplinary team conferences, exchanging information about patient needs and condition, and assists in the nursing management of patients with complex problems. Provides input into the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Nursing Care Plan and/or the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care. Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients with complex problems according to nursing standards and Medical Center policy and procedure. This includes, but is not limited to: Uses identified learning needs to provide patient teaching and documents teaching in the medical record. The GS-6 LPN can identify/apply age specific considerations, e.g., the geriatric population's proneness to visual or hearing impairment. Teaching may include diabetic self-care, activities of daily living, coughing, deep breathing, self-administration of medication and additional procedures as directed by the registered nurse. Assumes an educational role with co-workers. Performs such diagnostic procedures as TPR, B/P, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, I&O, heights, weights, finger-sticks, breathalyzer, and EKGs. Recognizes deviations from normal. Documents and reports result to the registered nurse and/or physician. Transcribes doctor's orders as per Medical Center policies and procedures (specific units). I. Performs narcotic count as per policy/procedure and immediately notifies the Charge RN of discrepancies. Administers oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications. Administers immunizations independently upon completion of Immunization competency. Observes, reports, and documents patient's response to medication including adverse reactions and possible medication errors. Makes frequent rounds on patients, noting environment, changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition. Reports and documents all observed problems and indicates which might have an adverse effect on patients, visitors, or personnel. Initiates appropriate action. Checks patients' personal belongings on admission and discharge, and for hazardous items when indicated and where applicable. Performs routine locker inspections per medical center policy. Observes, documents, and reports unpredictable behavior that may lead to violence, potential for injury related to wandering or fall risk. Uses diversional activities to promote restraint-free environment. Under the direction of the registered nurse, uses least restrictive protective supportive device when restraint is ordered. Monitors patients who require group status or 1:1 observation, e.g., suicide precautions, patients with potential for injuring self or others. Documents and reports behavior patterns and changes per Nursing Patient Care Procedure. Performs support duties for therapeutic and diagnostic procedures such as: Provides patient teaching and documents patient health education appropriately. Assuring presence of signed informed consent. Assisting with physical examinations. Assembling supplies and equipment for medical procedures. Setting up and passing instruments using aseptic and/or sterile technique. Monitoring patient's condition and providing follow up care. Caring for, maintaining, and ordering supplies and equipment, including reporting equipment Malfunctions.

Requirements

Demonstrate ability to review orders and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition, to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, to accurately report and record significant patient information.
Demonstrate ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing, medication, and equipment-assisted care, and to recognize deviations from normal.
Demonstrate practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations.
Demonstrated ability to use this knowledge in working effectively with patients, families, and other staff members.

Nice To Haves

Applicant must have at least 1-2 years of experience in mental health.

Responsibilities

Provides for the patient's privacy and safety.
Assists with data collection for new admissions.
Observes, reports, and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition.
Actively contributes to nursing and/or interdisciplinary team conferences, exchanging information about patient needs and condition, and assists in the nursing management of patients with complex problems.
Provides input into the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Nursing Care Plan and/or the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients with complex problems according to nursing standards and Medical Center policy and procedure.
Uses identified learning needs to provide patient teaching and documents teaching in the medical record.
Assumes an educational role with co-workers.
Performs such diagnostic procedures as TPR, B/P, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, I&O, heights, weights, finger-sticks, breathalyzer, and EKGs.
Recognizes deviations from normal.
Documents and reports result to the registered nurse and/or physician.
Transcribes doctor's orders as per Medical Center policies and procedures (specific units).
Performs narcotic count as per policy/procedure and immediately notifies the Charge RN of discrepancies.
Administers oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications.
Administers immunizations independently upon completion of Immunization competency.
Observes, reports, and documents patient's response to medication including adverse reactions and possible medication errors.
Makes frequent rounds on patients, noting environment, changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition.
Reports and documents all observed problems and indicates which might have an adverse effect on patients, visitors, or personnel.
Initiates appropriate action.
Checks patients' personal belongings on admission and discharge, and for hazardous items when indicated and where applicable.
Performs routine locker inspections per medical center policy.
Observes, documents, and reports unpredictable behavior that may lead to violence, potential for injury related to wandering or fall risk.
Uses diversional activities to promote restraint-free environment.
Under the direction of the registered nurse, uses least restrictive protective supportive device when restraint is ordered.
Monitors patients who require group status or 1:1 observation, e.g., suicide precautions, patients with potential for injuring self or others.
Documents and reports behavior patterns and changes per Nursing Patient Care Procedure.
Provides patient teaching and documents patient health education appropriately.
Assuring presence of signed informed consent.
Assisting with physical examinations.
Assembling supplies and equipment for medical procedures.
Setting up and passing instruments using aseptic and/or sterile technique.
Monitoring patient's condition and providing follow up care.
Caring for, maintaining, and ordering supplies and equipment, including reporting equipment Malfunctions.