The primary purpose of the GS 6 LPN/LVN 6 is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care. This position is in the Outpatient area(s) of the Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, Idaho. This position provides support for the Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Twin Falls, Idaho and Caldwell, Idaho, and the VA Outreach clinics in Mountain Home, Idaho, Salmon, Idaho, and the Eastern Oregon clinic in Hines, Boise Primary Care, Women's Clinic, and Specialty Clinics. 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. [Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include:] Licensure. Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a [ ] licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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: GS-3. 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-4. [Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: (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. (d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. [Works with the 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. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. (c) 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. (d) Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and 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. (e) Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. GS-6 (a) Completion of] at least [one (1)] year of [additional] qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent [, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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 physician (MD/DO)] for [ ] appropriateness and conformity with [established policies/procedures. (d)] [ ] Ability to observe, identify and 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 and] considers [ ] emotional [, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related] factors. Preferred Experience: One to two years of Clinical Experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. ["Duties: A. Identifies changes in the patient's condition that would constitute the need for special equipment. Assists in identifying patient's increased needs for certain monitors (i.e., 12-lead EKG, SAO2 monitor). Provides direct patient care. B. Identifies emergency situations, reports and initiates effective action immediately. Performs CPR in accordance with the established medical center policy. Assists in Code Blues by obtaining supplies and following the direction of the nursing supervisor or charge nurse. C. Complies with Nursing Service policy/procedure on administering medications. Administering medications as ordered. Observes for desired and untoward effects. D. Utilizes nursing care procedures when providing patient care. Consistently observes and follows nursing care procedures in providing patient care. E. Utilizes the concepts and the guidelines of sterile technique. Strictly adheres to guidelines for hand washing. Always utilizes sterile technique when warranted for any procedure. Follows infection control policies/procedures and consistently utilizes universal precautions. F. Observation of IV solutions and patency of IV tubing. Maintains intravenous solutions. Changes premixed intravenous solutions and peripheral tubing as directed. Administers premixed antibiotic therapy as ordered. G. Identifies patients who require instruction about their care, or who need questions answered. Anticipates these needs in patients such as those who are undergoing procedures or experiencing changes in medication or treatment plan. Provides teaching of general principles of health and maintenance and treatments to patients. H. Identifies patient/family emotional needs. Provides emotional supports and considers the needs of the patient, family, and/or significant others. Anticipates patient needs in the face of known stressors such as death, dying, surgery, and awaiting diagnostic test results. I. Maintains personal safety. J. Accurately completed preventive health and chronic disease indexes of patients seen in outpatient clinics. K. Accurately administers injectable medication with no more than two valid failures or omissions and supervisory feedback during the rating period. L. Basic nursing care for adult and elderly patients is administered according to clinic guidelines, and plan of care under the direction of the supervising RN. M. Performs treatments and procedures which include application of antiseptic sterile and non-sterile techniques, i.e., bladder catherization insertion and removal, EKG, enemas, bladder scans, capillary blood glucose (CBG), venipuncture, suture and/or staple removal, and oximetry. N. Maintains patient comfort and safety while in the clinical environment. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 5:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 0620 GS 6 LPN/LVN Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
