Psychiatric Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary

The LPN at the Wilkes Barre VAMC participates in the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan; interacts with patients in groups in accordance with the patient's treatment plan; observes, identifies and responds to the patients' needs for nursing, medication, and equipment assisted care and recognizes deviations from normal; demonstrates the knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Duties

The Mental Health Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for: Participates in group meetings to help patients share feelings, interact and function in accordance with the patient's treatment plan. Begins to demonstrate constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communications and socialization skills. Utilizes team building skills to work efficiently and effectively with other disciplines. Participates with the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan. Uses discretion in all confidential matters. Responds appropriately as a member of the Cardiac, Disaster, Violence, Fire Fighting, and/or Code Yellow Team. Handles assignments to other areas with professional behavior. Willingness to accept organizational changes and accepts constructive ideas for the betterment of the organization. Uses sound judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines. Utilizes nursing process in practice. Has the knowledge and skills necessary for carrying out practical nursing care assignments, including assignments for acute care, long-term or ambulatory care, or psychiatric patients. Demonstrates ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing, medication and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal. Considers physical, emotional and social factors in modifying patient care plans. Participates in unit based performance improvement initiatives. Participates on Nursing, CORE, and/or Medical Center committees. Demonstrates awareness of mission, vision, and value objectives of the CORE and Medical Center. Implements clinical guidelines as appropriate. Serves as a member of the nursing unit team with selected patients and provides care to them on a regular and recurring basis. Performs nursing skills in a safe manner that prevents personal injury to patients, self, or others. Maintains unit orderliness and cleanliness. Accurately reports and records significant patient information via hard or soft copies. Performs those standardized nursing functions which require the exercise of observational skills, initiative, judgment and independent determination for the care of all types of patients with varying degrees of illness such as acute, subacute and chronically ill. Makes a significant contribution to promote the patient's return to health by guiding and encouraging the patient in self-care activities while including the family in the patient's treatment program. Gives specific, meaningful instructions and explains to patients regarding the purpose of special diagnostic tests. Collects or assists with the collection of all types of specimens including gastric analysis. Administers oral and parenetical medications excluding investigational drugs. Utilizes Omnicell medication system per policy. Chart review electronic orders from a Physician's order sheet with RN verification. Assists with maintaining a safe and hazard free environment. Monitors patients on 1:1 suicide or safety watch. Has knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in partnership of medical facility policies; this knowledge helps the LPN in this role to play an active part within the mental health population. Is responsible for triaging scheduled Veterans for routine administration of antipsychotic injections, walk in, and crisis patients. Follows facility policy on the use of psychotropic medication. Assists with monitoring lab values of certain psychotropic medications, ensuring the veteran gets the required monitors done in a timely manner. Has knowledge of Voluntary and Involuntary commitments to the in-patient psychiatric unit, in accordance of facility policy and Pennsylvania Chapter 5001.71 to 5001.90A. Ensures adequate 1:1 coverage for the S/H Veteran while in the MHC and often times remains with the Veteran in the Emergency Department (ED) while medical clearances are being obtained. Educates the Veteran about Mental Health Clinic (MHC) services offered in the MHC to include: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anger Management, Wellness Groups and Community programs. Meets weekly with their assigned Behavioral Health Integration Program (BHIP) team to discuss and seek guidance with any high risk patients or to address possible ethical issues. Performs additional duties as assigned. Preferred Experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing. Work Schedule: 4p-12a, Rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications and evaluation

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.

Education

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/02/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13046975. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. 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. VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. 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.