Licensed Practical Nurse- 8D

About the role

The Western New York VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting for a part-time Licensed Practical Nurse for 8D located at the Buffalo VA Medical Center in Buffalo - New York.

Responsibilities

• Performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.
• Performs within this functional statement under frequent guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee.
• Assists the Registered Nurse in providing care to patients.
• Carries out all functions and duties in addition to demonstrating an increased understanding of the total patient program.
• Demonstrates a broader spectrum of skills and the ability to adapt care to meet individual patient needs with increased understanding of patient behavior and conditions.
• Functions in this growing capacity in their assigned duty area at VAWNYHS in inpatient and outpatient care areas including Acute Care - Long Term Care - Behavioral Health - Primary Care and other ambulatory Care settings.
• Aids in the preparation and administration of prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous).
• Monitors the patient's condition before - during and following the procedure.

Requirements

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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Education: 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: Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Qualifications

Qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

• GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN OR Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and 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-05: Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications. Recognizes and responds to patient needs for care including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education. Recognizes and considers emotional - socio-economic - and age-related factors. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies.
• GS-06: Proficiency in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions. Recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medication/treatments. Recognizes and appropriately respond to urgent/emergent patient care situations and initiates appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Recognizes and understands human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - to promote positive relationships - communication - and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which includes preparing the patient and assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing - and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during - and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Benefits

Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
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)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized