License Practical Nurse

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Job Description

Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the nursing and treatment teams in planning and implementing a full range of practical nursing care for veterans. The LPN provides progressively complex age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients or outpatients with physical, mental, behavioral, or psychosocial needs, according to assignment and training. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients according to nursing standards and CAVHS policy and procedure. This includes, but is not limited to: Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g., blood, sputum, urine, stool. Providing bowel/bladder training, applying external urinary devices, performing bladder catheterization. Setting up and initiating oxygen therapy, including nebulization treatments Providing wound care and reporting any changes and/or progress to the RN and provider. Providing for lifting, moving, transferring, and/or transporting patients without any personal limitations or physical restrictions. Using patient lifting devices and electronic scales without any personal limitations or physical restrictions. Applying abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, ace bandages as ordered Implements established care plans. Evaluates patient’s progress based on observed data. Recommends modification to the care and/or treatment plan as needed. Recognizes progress or subtle changes in the patient’s behavior and/or physical condition, initiates appropriate action, reports actions to the RN and provider and documents in the medical record Recognizes and initiates emergency measures consistent with training. Assist appropriately and applies concepts for the prevention and management of disruptive while providing for physical and safety needs Calls Code Blue appropriately and initiates basic life support as needed. Uses identified learning needs to provide patient teaching and documents teaching in the medical record. The LPN is able to identify/apply age specific considerations, e.g., the geriatric population’s proneness to visual or hearing impairment. Teaching may include diabetic self-care, activities of daily living, coughing, deep breathing, suctioning and tracheostomy care, self-administration of medication and additional procedures as directed by the registered nurse and provider. Assumes an educational role with co-workers Performs such diagnostic procedures such as obtaining vital signs, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, 1&0, heights, weights, fingerstick blood sugars, and EKGs. Recognizes deviations from normal. Documents and reports results to the registered nurse and/or physician. Administers oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications. Administers immunizations independently upon completion of competency. Observes, reports, and documents patient’s response to medication including adverse reactions and possible medication errors Observes, documents, and reports unpredictable behavior that may lead to violence, potential for injury related to fall risk. Caring for, maintaining, and ordering supplies and equipment, including reporting equipment malfunctions. Provides for a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment including work area. Follows all safety policies and procedures including using good body mechanics and wearing personal protective equipment as needed. Uses computer to meet current CPRS mandates, e-mail, leave requests, and other computer initiatives. Participation in interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning with team members. Assumes initiative and responsibility for completing recurring assignments and, when necessary, assists co-workers in completion of their assignments. Work Schedule: 12 hour days, 7:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. with rotating shifts and weekends (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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. Functional Statement #:00641-00642-00643-00644-F 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. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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. 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. Additional information may also be o