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This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Southeastern Region, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 16), Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, Primary Care Service, New Orleans, Louisiana. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works under the guidance of or medical staff physician/provider. The LPN functions as an effective member of the clinical team. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. LPNs/LVNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English. 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 NLNAC, 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 98-160, 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. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. Grade Determination: GS-6: Complete at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the above requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. Experience at the GS 5 level include: 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; 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; and 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. And, the following KSAs for the GS 6 level: 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 (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with [established policies/procedures. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: N/A References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13 April 13, 2003The full performance level of this position 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. 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, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical lifts are provided. ["The duties of the Licensed Practical Nurse-Women's Health include, but are not limited to: Provide assistance for and coordination of care for the Pelvic Floor Program which includes care for both female and male patients. Functions as a chaperone for pelvic floor physical therapy and other pelvic exams for a culturally diverse population of both female and male Veterans. Assists Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist (PFPT) with establishing trust and rapport with the patient, with positioning of patient for modalities and procedures. Educates patients about modalities and procedures to secure confidence and cooperation from patient. Serves as chaperone during PTPF patient evaluations and therapeutic procedures. Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures with input from biomedical engineering when needed for calibrations and repairs. Serves as a chaperone for PFPT during examinations and procedures and as an advocate for patients to ensure their comfort and satisfaction. Provide comfort measures and activities of daily living during clinic visits. Perform the following procedures takes digital photos, performs complex- dressing changes, wound management, urostomy, ileostomy, and colostomy care, tracheal and nasopharyngeal suction, suprapubic catheter care, designated urological procedures, and specialized dermatological procedures. Insertion of indwelling/intermittent catheters. Collection of laboratory specimens (urine, blood, culture and sensitivity). Assist with specialized outpatient exams during gynecological, otolaryngologic and ophthalmology visits. Perform tonometry and visual screening acuity measurements. Maintain and determine an adequate supply of medications and supplies. Perform clinical intake, preventive medicine screening, pain education and allergy screening and document adverse reactions. Provide tracheotomy care including suctioning, cleaning, and change of inner cannula, cuff deflation, and dressing changes. Assist with patient teaching, using approved guidelines. Document on appropriate forms and/or in CPRS and refer veterans or caregiver to the social worker, dietician or other members of the team as requested or needed. Determine subjective and objective symptoms that require referral to the RN or provider for intervention. Assist the RN with the coordination of home care and post clinic visits, contacting outside agencies for reports or follow up care at external facilities. Communicate and document irregularities or variances in nursing policies/procedures and standards that require clinical intervention. Interview family, patient or significant others re: patient illness or descriptions of illness and needs. Demonstrate flexibility by working and supporting other clinics, or teamlets when providing routine care per clinical competencies with minimal guidance and assistance. Assume responsibility for the security, and storage of drugs IAW Joint Commission requirements. Participate in the identification of patients at risk for physical restriction/rehabilitation, falls or addictive tendencies. Support patients identified in early to terminal stages of multiple illnesses with understanding and encouragement and responds according to their individual needs. Demonstrate skill required to resolve a range of nursing problems. Knowledge of community resources and facility programs available to meet patient's referral needs. Knowledge of and demonstrate use of specialized clinic equipment supplies that vary treatment modalities. Verbalize knowledge of and demonstrate sufficient interviewing skills to elicit response from patient, identify physical needs, problems or emotional concerns that may interfere with the therapeutic treatment plan. Perform work in VISTA and clinical reminder applications daily. Complete EKG data entry Assist and participate in performance improvement projects, ABI and other administrative assignments. Perform venipuncture samples to obtain laboratory specimen and test using appropriate collection tubes for laboratory processing. Occasionally processes laboratory specimen for transport according to established policies. Conduct Preventive Health/Chronic Disease Management Clinical Reminder and Screening Activities appropriate to the clinical setting such as but not limited to: Colorectal (FIT) Cancer Screening education and order entry (FOBT) Hepatitis C Screening and request for lab test. Administer Vaccine according to directives and facility policy. Complete request for Lipid Blood Work. Order urine microalbumin for diabetics. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: N/A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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