Summary

The Blind Rehabilitation Center is comprised of a 13 bed inpatient unit that provides services to qualified Veterans. The mission is to assist Veterans and service members who are blind - have low vision adjust to their sight loss; to help them learn skills and alternate techniques that will reduce their overall risk - improve their quality of life - enable them to reach their maximum level of independence to help them develop positive attitudes - self-esteem and a renewed sense of self-worth.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(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
• Exceptions include 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN.Licensure - Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - 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
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the 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)
• however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• GS-04 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• or(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and one 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a patient's needs for care including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - socio-economic - and age-related factors
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members and other staff
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - to promote positive relationships - communication - and socialization skills
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which includes preparing the patient and assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing - and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during - and 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
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Preferred Experience: Acute care experience Long term care experience Blind rehabilitation experience Must be comfortable working with service animals Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• See VA Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards.

Duties

• The mission of BRC is to assist Veterans and service members who are blind - have low vision adjust to their sight loss
• to help them learn skills and alternate techniques that will reduce their overall risk - improve their quality of life - enable them to reach their maximum level of independence
• and most importantly - to help them develop positive attitudes - self-esteem and a renewed sense of self-worth
• The BRC utilizes and interdisciplinary approaches a dynamic array of programs - activities - and services in a safe homelike environment that is conducive to learning and health promotion
• Respond to Veteran calls for assistance and address patient needs in a timely manner
• Ensure proper identification of Veteran per policy before administering care
• Willingly assist co-workers without being asked and work well as a team member
• Actively participate in change of shift by communicating all pertain Veteran information to Team Leader - Charge Nurse or receiving shift
• Assist registered nurse with admission - transfer - and discharge of residents
• Completing duties as assigned and under the supervision of the registered nurse
• Give bed bath - tub and shower baths - shampoo hair - trim nails and assist residents with grooming
• He/she will consistently promote Veteran independence - rehabilitation - and restorative nursing as the Veteran plan of care dictates
• Give morning and evening care
• Provide and assist in oral hygiene and denture care
• Change linen of occupied and unoccupied beds
• Assist Veterans with bedpans and urinals
• Feed Veterans and assist those who need help with eating
• Change Veterans' position - maintain body alignment and take measures to prevent skin breakdown and/or deformity
• Apply and observe comfort and safety devices as directed by the registered nurse
• Practice safety precautions according to written procedure in performance of duties when working with Veterans and Veteran's personal care devices - medication administration and unit equipment
• Perform duties in a safe manner to prevent Veteran/employee accident/injury
• Safely operate equipment such as specialized beds - prosthetic devices - and suction machines
• Utilize proper body mechanics - mechanical lifting devices and transfer aids when lifting and moving Veterans to prevent injury to self and others
• Assist in maintaining a clean and orderly unit environment
• keep supplies and equipment clean and in proper places - observe infection control guidelines - etc
• He/she is expected to take personal accountability in reducing Veteran's risk of trips and falls by taking quick and immediate action to correct any environmental safety concerns
• Utilize principles of infection control - cleanliness and hand washing to assure a safe - clean environment to prevent cross infections
• Understand and utilize principles of Universal Precautions and type of isolation for protection of Veterans and/or self
• Report faulty equipment or safety hazards
• Be knowledgeable and correctly utilizes the RACE procedure during fire drills and emergency situations
• Verbalizes the steps within the RACE procedure and his/her responsibility
• Verbalize role of unit/staff in a disaster including recognition of disaster alarms/notification per policy
• Also recognizing alternate power sources and mechanism to use on the event of utility system failure
• Be knowledgeable regarding location of MSDS for all hazardous chemicals used within the assigned area and take appropriate action as needed to mitigate situation
• Document medications administered - care and treatments provided and Veteran's response to therapy in the clinical record
• Document on flow sheets - Reports of Contact - and Incident Reports as appropriate
• Recognize and report acute changes in Veteran conditions to the registered nurse (R.N.) and documents observations appropriately
• Maintain rapport with Veterans - families - volunteers - visitors - and co­workers
• Accurately document measurements such as vital signs - weights - and finger sticks for glucose monitoring - intake and output
• Provide input into the formulation of the nursing care plan
• Provide for Veterans' physical and psychosocial needs
• Provide emotional support to Veterans and families
• Assist with diagnostic procedures such as physical exams - using sterile technique as appropriate - if applicable to assigned unit
• Collect and label specimens for laboratory study such as urine - sputum - and stool
• Administer oxygen and inhalation therapy as ordered
• Accurately obtain and document measurements and pulse oximetry to include documentation of oxygen flow rate/room air and route
• Work in area with service dogs Work Schedule: Various - may include 8- and 12-hour shifts - days - nights - weekends - and holidays
• Schedule will ultimately be determined by supervisor and facility needs Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.