LPN- Mental Health (Residential Treatment Program) WHEN at Montrose

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 941088 (Include # on all documents)

VA Hudson Valley Health Care System is recruiting for two Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in our Mental Health Care Line (Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program)  WHEN Hours

To fulfill President Lincolns promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans.  How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

The LPN will work in the Mental Health Care Line at the Montrose Campus Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP). Incumbent is accountable to the Program Manager for administration and professionally to the RN for evaluation of nursing care delivery to assigned patients. WHEN Hours (Weekends, Holidays, Evenings, Nights)

 

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries.

VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.  For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/ .  

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• U. S. Citizenship
• Must pass pre-employment examination
• English Language Proficiency required
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required
• Full and unrestricted license to practice as an independent LPN.

DUTIES:Back to top

The LPN will work in the Mental Health Care Line at the Montrose Campus Mental Health Residential Substance Abuse Program (MH RRTP). Incumbent is accountable to the Program Manager for administration and professionally to the RN for evaluation of nursing care delivery to assigned patients.  Incumbent participates in the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the patients’ treatment plan.  The LPN interacts with patients in groups in accordance with the treatment plan; observes, identifies and responds to the patients’ needs for nursing, medication and equipment-assisted care. In addition, the Incumbent is essential in fulfilling the program obligations to the facility and resident (Veteran) through daily and long term monitoring of the facility and program needs. The LPN, as part of the residential 24/7 staffing is responsible for coordinating daily activities, conducting room searches; providing transportation; and first level support and assistance to the Veteran. The LPN helps establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with the Veteran and assisting the Veteran in identifying, working on and resolving a myriad of complex psychosocial issues. The LPN, in conjunction with the Health Technicians, conducts Urine Drug Screens, maintains all aspects of daily Residential operation utilizing observation and interview skills to assess the veteran’s progress. Incumbent may be required to travel with residents to appointment in Hudson Valley or nearby VA facilities in the course of his/her shift.  The Incumbent will cross train for all the MH treatment programs. The position works off tours/WHEN hours, hours will be varied depending on need.  Minimum of two years Mental Health experience is preferred.  WHEN Hours (Weekends, Holidays, Evenings, Nights)

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:  

• U.S. citizenship.  
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.[
• Licensure.  Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocation nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.
• Pass pre-employment physical.
• English language proficiency.

 

b.  Grade Determination.  In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.  The candidate’s qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

 

  (1)  GS-3.  None beyond the basic requirements.

 

  (2)  GS-4.  Six months of qualifying experience.

 

  (3)  GS-5

 

  (a)  Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

 

  (b)  Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.

 

  (c)  Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services.

 

NOTE:  GS-5 is a full performance level for the LPN or LVN occupation for providing practical nursing care with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.  Assignments above this level are limited to situations demanding an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledges and skills.

 

  (4)  GS-6.  In addition to meeting the requirements for the GS-5 level, has completed at least an additional year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent.  Has the knowledges and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing care assignments, including assignments for selected acute care, long-term or ambulatory care, or psychiatric patients requiring skilled nursing care.  Serves as a member of a health care team with these selected patients and provides care to them on a regular and recurring basis.  Completes assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities at the GS-6 level, requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems.  The GS-6 grade is restricted to individuals whose assignments include the following:

 

  (a)  Practical nursing characterized by:

 

  1.  The employee’s ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient’s condition; to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines; and to accurately report and record significant patient information.  Completed work needs only a general review by a registered nurse for technical soundness; appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments.

 

  2.  Demonstrated 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 patient care plans, the employee considers physical, emotional and social factors.

 

  3.  Practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to situations.  Demonstrated ability to use this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family and other staff members.

 

  4.  Demonstrated knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.

 

  (b)  Typically, duties will include:

 

  1.  Contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the patient’s treatment plan and promotes patient participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence.

 

  2.  Conducts group meetings to help patients share feelings, interact and function in accordance with the patient’s treatment plan.

 

  3.  Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills.

 

  4.  Administers prescribed medications and performs more complex treatments.

 

  5.  Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which includes preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and passing instruments, and monitoring the patient’s condition.

 

NOTE:  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6  The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6  The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

References : Input applicable reference and links.   For example:   VA Handbook 5005/23, Part II, Appendix F13, LPN QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated April 10,l 2003,  and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at ttp://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0100/0185.htm ( or you may use the following generic citation) VA Handbook 5005 available in the local Human Resources Office and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0100/0185.htm. ]

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.  All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. *** If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. ***

Veterans Preference:

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD Form 214 or other proof prior to appointment to document entitlement to preference.  For more information on Veterans Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.   You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

Country: USA, State: New York, City: Montrose, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.