Licensed Practical Nurse-Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is assigned to the Mental Health Service, Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program at the Saint Cloud VA Medical Center, where Veterans receive comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services for mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders. The LPN serves as a valued member of the nursing team, providing direct patient care activities and clerical support under the direction of the Registered Nurse or Provider.Total Rewards of a Allied Health ProfessionalThis occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $40,000 annually, up to $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.Duties include but are not limited to:Delivers comprehensive physical and emotional support to Veterans facing mental health challenges, as well as addressing their behavioral and physical requirements within the established scope of practice.Administers medications and injections to patients in accordance with facility policies, utilizing expertise in both medical and psychiatric medications relevant to the mental health environment.Collects urine samples and administers breathalyzer tests, along with other point-of-care specimen collection as required.Completes clinical reminders and reports data findings to the clinician, provider, or registered nurse.Facilitates therapeutic communication with Veterans and their families.Initiates and evaluates Veteran's participation in community groups and community meetings.Conducts focused assessments and implements both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions in accordance with facility policies and procedures. Communicates any deviations from the established baseline to the RN or Provider.Educates veterans and their family members about common medical conditions, medications, and prescribed treatment plans.Records observations and relevant information related to patient care in the electronic medical record system.Identifies, addresses, and reports both urgent and non-urgent situations as required.Assists with proper counting and maintenance of controlled substances.Participates in daily nursing report and treatment team meetings.Works alongside clinical coordinators and telehealth personnel to execute, assess, and enhance telehealth programs.Performs other selected duties as assigned.Work Schedule: Full-time available. Shifts are scheduled Sunday through Saturday, day/evening or day/night, on a rotating basis. Rotating weekends and holidays are required.Additional Pay:Shift Differential - 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6pm and 6am.Weekend Premium - 25% of basic pay for work performed between the hours of midnight Friday and midnight Sunday.Holiday Pay - 2 times basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled, non-overtime work on a designated holidayCompressed/Flexible:AvailableRecruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not AuthorizedPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VAInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedPhysical Requirements: This position requires some degree of fitness, strength, and agility. Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing, pulling, lifting arm overhead, and similar activities. The incumbent will provide care to patients with a variety of mental health diagnoses, some of whom may exhibit unpredictable, disruptive, or aggressive behaviors. If selected, questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed during a pre-employment physical evaluation.