Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN is a vital member of the Mental Health Nursing Service (MHNS) Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs (BHIP) Teams. The position is under the guidance of the BHIP Clinical Nurse Manager, who reports to the Chief, Mental Health Nursing, who reports to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services. The incumbent is required to review medication orders and collaborate with the assigned BHIP Team. Responsibilities The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN is a vital member of the Mental Health Nursing Service (MHNS) Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Programs Teams (BHIP). The position is under the guidance of the BHIP Clinical Nurse Manager, who reports to the Chief, Mental Health Nursing, who reports to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services. The incumbent is required to review medication orders and collaborate with the assigned BHIP Team. The incumbent provides long acting injectable behavioral health medications, and vaccines. The incumbent completes vital signs, 12 Lead EKGs and mental health clinical reminders for their BHIP team if needed, assists with other BHIP teams within BHIP Clinic. The incumbent provides short term one-to-one, eyes on care/close observation to maintain safety for suicidal and homicidal patients in their clinic work areas. The incumbent is required to provide all care in accordance with VHA policy to ensure that the services requested and provided are appropriate, timely and cost effective. The LPN is responsible to train and function as Telehealth Care Technicians in the BHIP clinic as needed. Major Duties 1. Evaluates the Veteran's condition and current status, and communicate timely to appropriate BHIP Team Members. 2. Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments per established policies/procedures. 3. Administers immunizations per established policies/procedures. 4. Provides for 12 LEAD EKG completion as needed. 5. Provides for Vital Signs completion and timely documentation. 6. Provides for Telehealth CVT patient care for BHIP Clinic as needed. 7. Assists Veterans in learning self-medication management. 8. Effectively executes walk-in management per BHIP policies and protocols. 9. Assists other staff to prioritize the overall veteran care needs. 10. Has astute screening skills, which allow for observation of obvious and acute changes in the veteran health condition. 11. Responds diligently to the veteran changes and deteriorating condition in emergent situations, notifying appropriate BHIP personnel in a timely manner. 12. Facilitates point of care labs as needed. 13. Provides for mental health clinical reminders as needed and directed for BHIP Teams. 14. Provides for eyes on, one-on-one patient care for crisis management as needed. 15. Assures continuing improvement of service to patients through effective customer service. 16. Interacts with the family and/or significant others to facilitate Veteran's self-care. 17. Assures detailed, current, and comprehensive documentation is contained in the patient medical record and other pertinent records. 18. Demonstrates flexibility by willing and promptly accepting changes in work assignment and locations in support of the SAVAHCS and Mental Health Service mission. Work Schedule: M-F 07:30-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education or Training: Must be a graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant, or have you completed Health care education in the military service or training in the military service. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-4 Experience: At least (6) six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR Graduation from an approved school and have (1) one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures. OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 Experience: Completion of at least one year at the GS-4 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN and can demonstrate the following: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. [Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and [other] supportive personnel involved in the delivery of] patient care, [incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognize and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6 Experience: Completion of at least one year at the GS 5 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS 5 LPN and am technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Completed work needs only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (ND/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Lifting (15-44 lbs.); Light Carrying (Under 15 lbs.); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (3 hours); Standing (3 hours); Kneeling (1 hour). Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
