Licensed Practical Nurse - Mental Health

Summary

Join the Minneapolis VA Health Care System at the Twin Ports VA Clinic as a Mental Health Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). In this vital outpatient role you will support Veterans through direct mental health nursing care, clinical screening, telehealth coordination, medication administration, and collaborative communication within the care team to promote safe, recovery-oriented care.

Applicants pending 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:
  No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Education:
  
  Please see the Education Section of the announcement for more information.
• Licensure:
  Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• 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.
• GS‑04 – Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, or graduation from an approved school with one year of supervised nursing care in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other facility, 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 orient and train less experienced LPNs, LVNs, nursing assistants, and health technicians.
• Provides effective education to patients and their families regarding disease processes, medications, and treatment regimes.
• Serves as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts appropriately with patients, families, and other personnel.
• Administers and documents medication actions, including oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications.
• Observes and reports patient responses to medication, including any changes in condition to the RN or MD/DO.
• Recognizes the need for emergency measures and assists in resuscitation procedures during cardiac or pulmonary arrest.
• Responds to equipment failures or safety hazards and reports deficiencies for corrective action.
• Works under general supervision of an RN or MD/DO.
• Gains broad knowledge of practical nursing procedures, with more complex practices subject to higher-level review.
• GS‑06 – Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS‑5 level or equivalent.
• Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties.
• Uses judgment in selecting appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments.
• Accurately recognizes, reports, and records relevant patient information.
• Completes work with only general review by the RN or MD/DO.
• Observes patient needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and education.
• Considers emotional, socio‑economic, and age‑related factors in delivering care.
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications per policy.
• Monitors and documents changes after medication or treatments and reports deviations.
• Recognizes urgent situations and initiates appropriate emergency interventions.
• Applies knowledge of human behavior to work effectively with patients and staff.
• Establishes constructive relationships with patients and families to promote positive communication.
• Fosters an environment of respect for patient rights, privacy, and dignity.
• Incorporates customer service standards in all interactions.
• Performs support duties for complex diagnostic tests, assisting with patient preparation, instrument handling, and monitoring.
• Serve as a preceptor for less experienced LPNs, LVNs, or assistants related to…