Licensed Practical Nurse- Outpatient Mental Health

Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct physical and emotional care to Veterans in the Mental Health Outpatient Clinic at the Saint Cloud VA Medical Center. The role supports patient self‑management—delivers education—performs focused assessments—and assists the care team under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or Provider.

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.

• 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) and 7407(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 (e.g., 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:
  In addition to the basic requirements stated above – the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade

• GS‑03 – None beyond the basic requirements; LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration)
• GS‑04 – Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience providing nursing care in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical‑nursing or patient‑care facility that provided practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques; OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS‑05 – Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS‑4 level or equivalent;
  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, and supervise less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs);
  Provides effective education to patients and/or family members regarding common disease processes, medication, and prescribed treatment regimes;
  Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact appropriately with patients, family members, professionals, and other supportive personnel;
  Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken with commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by facility policies;
  Observation and documentation of patient response to medication and reporting of any noted change;
  Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seeking assistance from the RN or MD/DO and assisting in resuscitation procedures;
  Recognizes and appropriately responds to equipment malfunction or supply deficiencies;
  Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO;
  Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures;
  Completion of more complex practices may be subject to closer review
• GS‑06 – Completion of at least one additional year of qualifying experience at the GS‑5 level or equivalent;
  Fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS‑5 LPN/LVN;
  Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing…