The Occupational Health/Vaccine Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a nursing position in Nursing Medical Specialty Service Line. This LPN (GS-6) meets all the requirements of the LNS GS 3-6 and performs more complex outpatient assignments. The LPN, GS-6 consistently demonstrates independent technical judgement and comprehensive knowledge of the difficult practices and procedures which he/she coordinates independently, without the need for readily available supervision. 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. 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: 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. VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-60, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. 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-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 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) physician (MD/DO)] for appropriateness and conformity with establish 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. (e) Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. (f) Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. (g) Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff. (h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and 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 established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. (i) Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, 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. (j) 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: Occupational Health and immunization experience, Med Surgical. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a 6. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, lifting, and transferring during administration of patient care. In addition, the incumbent must be emotionally stable and adjust to different types of personalities, demonstrating compassion, courtesy, and concern. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress. 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). The incumbent must be able to perform all activities for the position without restriction. This will include work on expanded tours of duty, weekends, and the ability to push supply, medication, and telehealth carts. The LPN 6 must be able to utilize written and verbal communication skills proficiently when communicating with the supervisor and other staff members. ["Thank you for your interest in the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Atlanta VA Medical Center. We will evaluate your application and responses to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers or you may be required to verify a response by practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. Please read the announcement in its entirety and review your responses for accuracy before you submit this questionnaire. Duties include but are not limited to the following: A. Observes and reports changes in patients' physical and emotional conditions utilizing elements of the nursing process of signs and symptoms identification, observation, perception, clinical measurements, screening protocols, and prescribed history taking. B. Performs health history screenings, urine drug screens test and immunizations for influenza. C. Effectively demonstrates ability to gather data and observations, assist in planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating the care of patients. D. Confers with other providers and Services to meet patient's needs beyond LPN scope of practice and experience E. Provide nursing support as assigned for other clinics within Nursing Medical Specialty Service Line. F. Demonstrates clinical competence in performing core and practice specific procedures according to the Competency Checklist G. Provide disease specific education as appropriate. Independently and accurately reinforces patient education using teaching approaches that are individualized to incorporate patients' health education needs, age, culture, and level of understanding. H. Maintain ongoing training and education to support enhanced and advanced roles. I. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' condition; uses judgement in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatment; and accurately recognizes, reports, and records relevant patient information. J. Demonstrates ability to organize and deliver care, recognizing and considering the emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. K. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. L. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patients' condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately document noted changes, and reports any deviations from normal to the RN or Provider. M. Follows up with patients on appointments, lab results, and medications with physician or RN guidance. N. Conduct and support OSHA mandated programs, administering COVID 19 vaccine and performing COVID Testing hearing exams in addition to providing individual counseling to employees on disease prevention and health promotion. O. Recognizes potential urgent or emergent patient care situations promptly, seek assistance from the RN and/or Provider for appropriate team intervention. P. Maintains privacy and security issues as they affect patient care delivery. Q. Perform phlebotomy (venipuncture) and specimen collection and transport specimens to the lab for processing as needed. R. Initiates and participates in unit and service-line performance improvement activities. Work Schedule: Full-time. Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 5364F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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.
