Summary

The primary purpose of the LPN/LVN is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

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
• Education or Training
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State Agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• OR Received health care education/training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualified for full LPN/LVN licensure
• 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
• [NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR LICENSE NUMBER OR SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT LICENSURE WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE]
• 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)
• Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• Preferred Requirements: 2 years of outpatient experience and ambulatory care experience Grade Determinations:GS-3 Licensed Vocational Nurse: Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Licensed Vocational Nurse: A) Experience
• Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR B) Education
• Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• [NOTE: TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS BEING USED TO QUALIFY
• UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) OK.] OR C) Education and 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
• [NOTE: TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS BEING USED TO QUALIFY
• UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) OK.] GS-5 Licensed Vocational Nurse: Experience
• One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-04 LPN/LVN: 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
• 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
• 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
• GS-6 Licensed Vocational Nurse: Experience
• One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-05 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN: Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.References: VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualifications Standard - http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: The LPN performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care - including - but not limited to: Oxygen therapy - Clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated - Check expiration dates of meds and supplies
• Delegated procedures and treatments Assists with minor procedures - including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment - positioning patient - ensuring comfort and privacy
• Monitors patient during the procedure
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication - vaccinations - and skin tests
• Appropriately documents in the medical record
• Demonstrates understanding of age- and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
• Based on the patient's goals - provides patient and family health education - to include self-management - prevention - and wellness
• Adheres to principles of infection control - safety - and universal precautions
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties
• Obtains electrocardiograms on patients as assigned reporting readings to the Registered Nurse and/ or provider according to unit level procedures
• Completes finger stick blood glucose testing on patients as appropriate and other point of care testing and completes mandatory competency reviews
• Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills - safety and security measures
• Maintains confidentiality of electronic - written - and/or verbal patient information
• Protects patient and family rights
• Completes clinical competency reviews and mandatory reviews as scheduled
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe - efficient - and cost-effective manner
• Promotes patient and personnel safety by recognizing and reporting potential risk factors in the clinical environment
• Implements plan of care for patients considering physical - emotional - and social factors
• Contributes to the assessment and reassessment of patients - and documents relevant information in the medical record
• Reports significant changes in patient's condition to the Registered Nurse and/or provider
• Takes secure electronic messages and telephone messages - as assigned - and resolves or forwards them to the appropriate personnel
• Responds directly to messages within scope and level of knowledge
• Able to differentiate between those complex problems that require assistance of the Registered Nurse or provider and obtain appropriate guidance
• Demonstrates adherence to and competence of Nursing Standard Operating Procedures - VASNHS Medical Center Memoranda - and National Directives
• Must be proficient and demonstrate competency and the ability to either set up or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment as applicable for all equipment for which he/she has been trained
• Uses initiative in completing nursing assignments
• Assists others as time permits in the completion of their duties
• Uses the computer system in accordance with VASNHS policies
• Participates in VASNHS sponsored continuing education programs
• Participates in unit-based quality improvement monitors
• Establishes constructive relationships with employees and co-workers to promote interaction and communication
• Contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development - implementation - and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan
• Work Schedule: TBD By Supervisor Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 593-00062F - 593-00063F - 593-00064-F - 593-00065F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required