Career Center

The Surgical Outpatient LPN practices within Patient Care Services for the Montana VA Health Care System Surgical Outpatient Clinic and supports the mission and vision of Patient Care Services and the Healthcare System. The Surgical Outpatient LPN serves adult and elderly Veterans needing Specialty Care Services. Specialties supported by this LPN include orthopedics, podiatry, general surgery, urology, plastics, dermatology and GYN as needed. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: U.S. Citizens 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: (1) 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.(2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in 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.(3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-3 None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN; OR (b) 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; OR (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. In addition to the experience above, you must also meet all of the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (a) 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 and/or Nursing Assistants/Health Techs in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (f) 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 Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent In addition to the experience above, you must also meet all of the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (a) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (b) 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 for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. (c) 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 recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 part 2, Appendix G13. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands for the position. ["The Surgical Outpatient LPN provides full range of practical nursing care for the clinic including: Effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to medication, prescribed treatment regimens, and chronic care management; interacts with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in delivery of patient care; Prepares, administers, and appropriately documents actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications as permitted by approved local policy; Documents all observations, treatments and nursing care provided in the computer record; Recognizes the need for and to institute emergency measures, when indicated, promptly seeking assistance of RN or MD, recognizes and responds to breakage/malfunction of equipment, safety hazards, supply deficiencies, stays competent in the safe use and cleaning of non-critical RME; Assists in maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient centered environment. Demonstrates 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. Interacts and communicates appropriately to establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feeling 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. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes, as well as specialty concerns. Demonstrates, adheres to, and promotes safe practices including: a. Use of infection control equipment (Personal Protective Equipment), infection control policies/procedures, and universal precautions. b. Use of proper body mechanics and safety equipment i.e., lifts. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss or equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action and following up to assure correction of problem. Recognizes and reports patient, employee, and/or visitor incidents per procedure/policy. Provides safe care and conserves resources effectively. Adheres to all requirements in regard to reusable medical equipment. Utilizes equipment and supplies according to manufacturer and safety policies and procedures and assists others to do so. Checks ongoing expiration dates of medications and supplies. Adheres to policies and procedures related to fire and disaster drills, and security measures. BLS required. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: PD547990\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]