Practical Nurse (Mental Health)

Mental Health Inpatient We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Licensed Practical Nurse to join our Inpatient Mental Health / Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. In this role, you will provide high-quality, patient-centered care, supporting individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, many experiencing homelessness. Providing compassionate, trauma-informed care in a structured, recovery-oriented environment. This is full time at 40-hours per week.

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Under the direct supervision of the RN, MD, DO, NP or PA the Practical Nurse is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients. He/she recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. He/she considers the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patients, demonstrates competence, and correctly provides appropriate care for that age group or groups. The incumbent will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to ensure safety, stabilization, and therapeutic interventions in a structured setting. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Collects data and collaborates in the assessment of the health status of a patient.
• Implements aspects of the plan of care as delegated.
• Participates in the evaluation of patient responses to interventions.
• Participates in health teaching and counseling to promote, attain, and maintain the optimum health level of patients, as delegated.
• Recognizes, reports and record promptly all changes in physical condition and behavior of patients.
• Completes routine documentation of results of care and treatment according to policy, guidelines, instructions, (e.g. flow sheets) utilizing the electronic record and information network.
• Differentiates between emergent and non-emergent conditions. Reports promptly and accurately records critical/emergency situations.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and /or behavioral problems.
• Demonstrates a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO.
• Technically efficient 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.
• Observes, identifies and responds to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment assisted care and patient/family education.
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex, diagnostic tests and /or specialized practices or procedures.
• Delivers direct nursing care to patients/residents.
• Monitors patient status and side effects or complications from medications as prescribed.
• Maintains accurate documentation and comply with regulatory and program standards.
• Responds to medical and provides psychiatric crises intervention, ensuring safety and stabilization.
• Educates patients and families on treatment plans, medications, and coping strategies. And
• Assumes other related duties.

Inpatient Units - Part of being an employee with the Bedford VA includes taking care of all of the veterans across the hospital. All inpatient units include Mental Health, Acute Psychiatric, Long Term Psychiatric, Residential, Long Term Care, Short Term Care, Hospice, Rehabilitation, and Dementia. All staff are required and may have to float to support the needs of the inpatient units.

Work Schedule: Multiple tours available; to be discussed at interview and determined on selection.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Functional Statement #: F1966, F1967, F1968, F1969
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Notifications:

• This position is covered by a special rate.
• Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• This is an open continuous announcement until June 25, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Practical Nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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. EXCEPTION:
  • 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 will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment.
  • VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted 11/21/83, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted 10/28/86 & for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.
  • Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C.
• License: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or 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 meeting the Basic Requirements, applicants will need to meet the grade level requirements, and the Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). To meet the grade level requirement the applicants must have the following listed below:

Requirements for GS-3 Grade: None beyond the basic requirements.

Requirements for GS-4 Grade:

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR
• Graduation from an approved school and 1 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.

Requirements for GS-5 Grade: Possess Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent; AND

Demonstrated the following KSAs:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Work with RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provide effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes.
2. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.
3. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, & appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies & procedures. Observation & documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO.
4. Knowledge & ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, & assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
5. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards & supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
6. 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.

Requirements for GS-6 Grade: Possess completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.; AND

Demonstrated the following KSA's:

1. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
2. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse RN or MD/DO for appropriateness & conformity with established policies/procedures.
3. Ability to observe, identify & respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes & considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors.
4. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) & performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
5. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, & initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
6. Knowledge & understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations & ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members & other staff.
7. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings & attitudes, & to promote positive relationships, communication & socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient & family rights to privacy & dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge & understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.
8. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing & handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, & monitoring the patient's condition before, during & 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.
9. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve & advance nursing practice.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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.
• 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 dentification 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.