Career Center

Summary

The VA Western New York Healthcare System is seeking a highly qualified full-time Licensed Practical Nurse to serve as a member of the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Team located at the Batavia VA Medical Center in Batavia - New York. The LPN will perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer for service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• 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
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12860753
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience: Prior behavioral health and substance abuse nursing experience within the past (3) years
• Experience with conducting group meetings with the purpose of fostering patient interaction and function preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019

Duties

• The PTSD Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse and displays knowledge and ability in providing a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• The LPN serves as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care - and with members of other services
• The LPN functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team
• The incumbent carries out all functions and duties outlined for the practical nurse - but on a regular and recurring basis performs aspects of nursing care that require a basic understanding of the total patient program - understanding of simple scientific facts and principles - a broad spectrum of technical skills - adaptation of procedures to meet individual patient needs - and recognition of the relatedness of patients' behavior and physical condition
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Establishing positive patient/family/staff relationships by utilizing appropriate communication skills
• Assisting in the collection and documentation of routine objective and subjective data relative to uncomplicated patient situations
• Participating in patient centered conferences and shift reports
• Assisting and maintaining a clean - safe - and therapeutic environment
• Adhering to all safety and health standards - regulations - and work practices
• Providing competent patient care in a manner which ensures safety to patients - staff - visitors - and self - and seeking direction as needed
• Assisting with simple diagnostic measures - including collection of urine and stool specimens - and collecting and/or testing any other specimens as instructed
• Assisting with appropriate actions in emergency situations
• initiating CPR when indicated
• Maintains BLS certification
• Performing routine treatments relevant to area of assignment
• Administering selected medications to a number of patients and seeking clarification of orders as necessary
• Identifying the need for PRN medications - recognizing and reporting effects of medication
• Documenting the administration of all medications in the Medical Record following established policies
• Documenting the response to PRN medications in the medical record
• Recording basic information in the medical record and reporting patient status to RN
• Documenting patient/family/significant other teaching and their response to the teaching
• Displaying respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the patient unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status - personal attributes - or nature of health problems
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• Assisting with the implementation of the quality improvement program at the unit level
• Following established safety practices and reporting to the supervisor - as promptly as possible - unsafe conditions - unsafe practices - or any occupational illness or injury which was sustained
• Maintains professional boundaries with patients - families - and other staff at all times
• All other duties as assigned
• Preferred Experience: Prior behavioral health and substance abuse nursing experience within the past (3) years
• Experience with conducting group meetings with the purpose of fostering patient interaction and function preferred
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Full-Time - 6:30pm-7:00am (12-hour night shift) variable days - including weekends & holidays
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized