Summary

The Phoenix VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for a full time Licensed Practical Nurse position with Ambulatory Care Nursing Service, Phoenix VA Healthcare System, located at the Show Low CBOC, Show Low, AZ. **May be offered Recruitment/Relocation Incentive**

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 written and spoken English
• 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
• 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) implementation of Public Law 98-160, 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
• 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 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above
• 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 Experience/Education: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or Education: Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• Combined Education &
• Experience: Graduation from an approved school 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
• GS-5 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the next lower level (GS-4)
• Additionally an LPN as this level will be able to demonstrate: knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• 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
• 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
• 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
• recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
• However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-6 Experience: 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
• LPN must be technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing car to variable patient populations
• Possess 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
• Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient, primary care, ambulatory care experience preferred References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to lift (30 lbs or more)
• twisting and /or bending, standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day.

Duties

• The LPN/LVN is assigned to a patient care area
• The LPN/LVN observes and interviews patients and significant others to gather data for reporting and/or documentation according to policy and standards
• The LPN/LVN recognizes and reports to RN immediately signs and symptoms of emergencies such as evisceration, hemorrhage, shock, coma, seizure, and airway obstruction
• The LPN/LVN provides patient care and administers medications and treatments as per provider order or protocol
• The LPN/LVN is responsible for the storage, proper cleaning techniques, and use of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• He/she must be able to locate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all RME in the clinical area
• She/he is responsible for carrying out proper procedures for caring for patients in an isolation environment by following proper infection control procedures
• Major duties include but not limited to: Communicates regularly with nurse managers, physicians, nursing supervisors, charge nurses, allied healthcare staff, healthcare technicians, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians and team members
• Document patients' responses to medication administered and patient activity/therapies
• Reporting of noted changes/responses is directly to the RN or MD/DO/provider
• Works with the RN and/or physician to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or nursing assistants/patient care assistants in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
• Prepares and administers oral, rectal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous medications (except research/investigation) including insertion of medication into the eye, ear, nose, bladder, rectum, and vagina
• and performs TB or cocci skin testing
• gives allergy and flu injections
• accurately assesses the need for PRN medications
• prepares, administers, and evaluates responses
• Documents effectiveness of pain interventions with patient's perception
• Initiates corrective action for patient needs, requests, complaints, progress and/or problems
• Be able to work and perform venipuncture and perform the duties in the Clinic Laboratory
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 0730 - 1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized