The primary purpose of this position is to perform a very wide range of patient personal care, support diagnostic services, and chart activities on a regular and continual basis on a surgical, medical, rehabilitation, psychiatric, or long-term care ward or clinic. The incumbent performs duties in such a way as to promote a sense of worth and dignity within each individual. 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. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/ or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (ACEN) at time the program was completed; OR Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/ LVN licensure; OR VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; OR Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses must be proficient in both spoken and written English. Physical Standards: Licensed practical or vocational nurses must pass a pre-employment physical examination. Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year of long term care Charge Nurse experience Grade Determinations: GS-7: To be advanced, you must meet all of the following standards: (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/ LVN.(b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans.(c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations.(d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels.(e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate.(f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision.(g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice.(h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas.(i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.(j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.(k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; pushing; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; use of both hands required; walking 8 hours; standing 8 hours; repeated bending; climbing legs only; both legs required; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other. May be required to work with assaultive or combative patients. ["The Nursing Home Charge LPN is responsible for the evidence-based care of a group of patients as follows: Assists the RN and other members of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) with providing input in the development of the care plan, based on the Veterans care needs. This includes input into completion of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment at required and various time points. Assists with discharge planning of Veterans to more appropriate level of care. Coordinates the transfer of Veterans to more appropriate levels of care dependent on acuity needs. Promotes Veteran participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence. Administers prescribed medications and performs more complex treatments in accordance with hospital policy and procedure and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Verifies physician orders in compliance with hospital policies and procedures and SOPs. Seeks clarification, as needed, for orders with medical providers, pharmacy, or other departments, as applicable. Monitors bladder and bowel functioning, tracking of I&O and hydration and initiates intervention when it is indicated. Performs rehabilitative and restorative nursing care, as applicable. Supports and enhances Veteran self-determination. Serves as a resource for Veterans and staff in addressing ethical issues that arise on the unit. Treats the Veteran with dignity and respect. Advocates for the Veteran in regards to decisions made about the types of treatment provided during the end-stage disease process and at the end-of-life. Consistently follows policies, SOPS, and procedures applicable to reusable medical equipment (RME) and infection control. Monitors staff compliance with RME procedures/policies. Assigns care and required documentation to the most appropriate level of skill required for the tasks/duties. Determines priority of care needs and communicating to staff expectations of care. Reports required information for hand-off communication to the oncoming shift and at other times to applicable staff and departments. Completes the necessary documentation for these duties. Ensures completion of all shift documentation by other nursing staff, such as activities of daily living (ADL) notes, pain management notes, and nursing entries. Completes all assigned routine documentation, such as monthly summary notes; psychotropic drug review notes; MDS assessments, as applicable; and care plans. Completes or ensures the completion of all shift reports. Evaluates unit for safety issues, taking appropriate action when indicated, to include routine equipment checks (i.e., Wanderguard unit, crash cart, refrigerators, etc.) and any equipment malfunction. Communicates, to appropriate staff, when immediate intervention is needed for safe care. Initiates and maintains standards of cleanliness and safety in Veteran environment and exercises proper use and maintenance of equipment. Responds during emergencies, assigning firefighter, assisting during fire drills, and responding to any safety issues as they arise. Demonstrates self-direction in applying knowledge of fire, safety and disaster regulations, practices and procedures, and communicates expectations to staff. Certifies correctness with licensed staff in narcotic count. Ensures the safety and security of narcotic administration during the shift. Communicates and investigates any discrepancies. Ensures adequacy of supplies needed for care provision. Communicates need to Line Item Managers, Pharmacy, and kitchen, etc., when indicated. Uses proper body mechanics and safe lifting equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) that promote a safe workplace. Monitors staff compliance with safety policies. Assigns and coordinates staff attendance at interdisciplinary meetings. Acts as a leader in contributing to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Veteran's treatment plan. Work Schedule: 5:45am - 2:15pm (including weekends and holidays) Telework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]