Career Center

The LPN will maintain acceptable standards of practice within a health care setting under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The LPN will be accountable for ensuring the delivery of safe nursing care for a group of patients based on their role in the nursing process, taking into consideration each patient's developmental stage, progressing from young adult to geriatric stage. 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). GS-6 Licensed Vocational Nurse: (Full Performance) 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. 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). The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. 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. 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 ["Major duties and responsibilities include but, not limited to: Provides nursing care for and assistance to adult patients from young adult to geriatric in meeting their personal hygiene needs such as bathing (shower, bed, tub), oral hygiene, denture care, shaving and grooming utilizing advanced concepts of educational, motivations, age related, and self-care techniques. Provides care to the patient in isolation. Tailors care to meet age specific and culturally diverse needs. Allows preferences in the delivery of personal care such as bathing times and frequency. Assists patients at snack and mealtime setting up trays and feeding patients as needed. Observes for and encourages appropriate intake, social skills, manners, and eating habits. Administers tube feedings, as indicated. Encourages the resident to take meals in the dining room to increase socialization and decrease incidence of bedfast residents. Prepares and administers prescribed medications, oxygen and inhalation therapy with emphasis on accuracy and safety. Assists the RN with validation of medications, as assigned. Verifies blood transfusions with the RN. Obtains blood from the blood bank. Obtains and assembles equipment for specialized therapies such as suction, oxygen, isolation, Medical emergency, Code Blue and Code Orange. Performs a variety of treatments and procedures such as irrigating gastric tubes and colostomies, enemas, suctioning, tracheostomy care, sterile dressings and soaks. Applies behavioral and non-behavioral restraints under the direct supervision of an RN. Performs catheterizations (straight, indwelling, suprapubic and external). Performs catheter care. Measures and records vital signs including height and weight. Measures intake and output and disposes of body waste as assigned. Collects and labels specimens (urine, stool, sputum, wound). Verbalizes that pain is measured on a scale of 0-10. Recognizes that all pain is to be reported, documented, treated, and effectiveness of intervention evaluated in a timely manner. Promotes a safe, therapeutic environment adjusting heat, lights, ventilation and furniture. Maintains bedside units and wards in a clean, orderly manner. Makes beds, maintains fresh water at the bedside as appropriate. Reports and/or corrects safety hazards immediately. Promotes an environment that is home-like and assists the residents to personalize the room. Admits, transfers, discharges, and escorts patients on and off-station, utilizing appropriate safety devices and transport techniques. Utilizes therapeutic one-to-one interpreting appropriately at all times. Positions, turns, holds, ambulates, and transfers patients in and out of bed, wheelchairs, tubs, and showers and on and off scales, lifts, stretchers, utilizing proper body mechanics. Offers support to residents and family members in end of life decisions. Provides post-mortem care. Assists with specialized treatments, therapies, and examinations such as biopsies and debridement. Cares for the patient with multiple, complex needs such as SI, SO, CO, working with specialized equipment, such as hypothermia, monitors and restraints. Instructs patients and families in such areas as medications, and ADLs. Plans and participates actively in conferences related to patient care and development of the patient care plan. Assists in initiating and updating the patient care plan for patients and families. Conducts nursing groups as directed. Participates in resident care planning meetings. Documents data in the medical record following established guidelines. Completes MOS and Restorative program notes as designated-insures that progress in the program is documented. Anticipates, recognizes, responds, reports, and records early, subtle changing patient conditions and behaviors, both physical and emotional. Directs the efforts of the non-professional nursing care personnel of lower grade level; to ensure that all required nursing care is accomplished. This includes responsibility for helping to train new employees assigned to the unit. Establishes effective working relationships with nurses and physicians elsewhere in the medical center. Is available for consultation and assistance, as required. Communicates effectively with patients, families, and professional staff. Assumes a positive person-to-person relationship designed to motivate the patient to accept appropriate care, to educate and obtain the cooperation of the patient's family in helping him/her achieve emotional and social judgement. Demonstrates knowledge and adheres to the policies on the use and security of computers: Work Schedule: 7:30AM-4:00PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]