Practical Nurse - Domiciliary

About the role

Butler VAHS is seeking compassionate and dedicated Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to join the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP). In this rewarding role, you will provide direct patient care, administer medications and treatments, support recovery and rehabilitation, and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to improve Veteran well-being.

Grow your nursing career while making a meaningful impact. Apply today!

What you will do

• Uses sounds clinical judgment, demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assignments based on patient' conditions and needs.
• Utilizes knowledge of physical, social and emotional factors when planning patient care and uses this knowledge effectively in day to day interactions with patients and families.
• Recognizes deviations from normal and demonstrates the ability to respond to patients' immediate and long term needs.
• Performs complex treatments and procedures with exceptional skill and knowledge.
• As needed, prepares and administers medications correctly and understands the action and side effects of all medications administered.
• Performs complex treatments and procedures with exceptional skill and knowledge.
• Demonstrates age specific competency in delivering nursing care to clients from age 18 and over.
• Is able to distinguish the health needs related to age differences including the effects of substance abuse problems on the physical health of patients and provide age appropriate care.
• Participates in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings to assist in developing rehabilitative treatment goals for patients in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (MHRRTP) program.
• As needed, provides escort duties to veterans based on their care needs.
• Delivers nursing care as needed and directed at any of the two sites comprising the VA Butler Healthcare System, i.e., emergency situation, staffing shortage, special projects.
• Applies knowledge of effective verbal interventions and preventative tactics when confronted with an aggressive and potentially assaultive patient.
• Utilizes knowledge of physical, social and emotional factors when planning patient care and uses this knowledge appropriately in emergency situations; during 1 :1 intervention or when 911 needs to be contacted.
• Recognizes and initiates life saving measures appropriately in the absence of other members of the health care team.
• Participates in planning and/or implementation of 911 or 1:1 services.
• Co-conducts groups to educate patients on medical aspects of their care while allowing them to share feelings, improve socialization skills and enhance their self-esteem.
• Applies knowledge of human behavior and the various degrees of physical and mental impairment, is able to modify patient/family teaching methods.
• Assists the professional nurse and allied health professionals in planning implementation of patient educational and recreational activities.
• Motivates patients to participate in learning and recreational activities to improve their quality of life.
• Recognizes patient care management difficulties or problems and makes suggestions for change.
• Communicates with residents and families in a calming reassuring and supportive manner.
• Assesses acute and subtle changes consistently in patients' mental and physical condition and intervenes appropriately.
• Adjusts assignments or prioritizes care based on his/her assessment of overall workload of the treatment team and patient care needs.
• Documents patient/resident response to the treatment plan, group therapy, patient education and other planned activities.
• Observes patient/residents of the MHRRTP per program guidelines and more frequently if clinically indicated.
• Recognizes and reports signs of physical and emotional abuse of patients, family and significant others.
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with MHRRTP residents and members of the treatment team.
• Maintains courtesy during telephone and direct verbal interactions with patient, families and visitors.
• Has ability to elicit feelings, attitudes and promote positive communication and social skills with patients/residents.
• Motivates others to support Medical Center/Service Line and MHRRTP policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates leadership with LPNs of lesser grade, social service assistants and health technicians in planning and implementing resident/patient care.
• Provides assistance to team members in managing difficult patients when acting as a team leader.
• Work Schedule: 1:30 pm - midnight; rotating weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• 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.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Transcript The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.