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The Surgery/Specialty GS-6 LPN practices within Patient Care Services for the Interventional Service Surgery/Specialty Clinics at the Eastern Colorado Healthcare System and supports the mission and vision of Patient Care Services and the Healthcare System. He/she performs a variety of supportive, nursing, and medical tasks necessary to care for patient's outpatient Surgical/Specialty care appointments. 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 accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken 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. 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-06: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05LPN/LVN: Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Proficiency 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information. Ability to observe, identify, and response to a patient's needs for care including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members and other staff. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which includes preparing the patient and 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. 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 II, Appendix G -13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. Preferred Experience: Previous specialty and surgical clinic preferred 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 inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other offsite locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: The LPN receives a daily written assignment and verbal instructions from the registered nurse who will evaluate performance and response to work obligation. The LPN has the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition; to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, and to accurately report and record significant patient information. Completed work needs only a general review by the provider for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity with policy and procedures. The LPN has demonstrated the ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing, medication, and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal. In modifying patient care plans, the LPN considers physical, emotional, and social factors. Guidelines include Medical Center policy and procedure manuals and memorandums. Be proficient and demonstrate competency and the ability to either set up or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment as applicable for all equipment for which you have been trained. Demonstrate competency in performing all unit specific nursing interventions and procedures to include but not limited to: Understand and implement the PACT model, PACT Protocols, PACT handbook VHA 1101.10(1), implements, and documents education provided to patient and families. Correctly and safely performs nursing procedures or seeks help when needed. Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately. Responsible for timely implementation of orders and nursing interventions. Completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed. Includes the patient and family/significant other in developing the initial plan of care and establishing goals. Documentation is consistent, accurate, concise, and timely. Evaluates and documents patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of goals and expected outcomes. Nurse can recognize the patient has a problem and involves the appropriate team members. Nurse manages the problem safely and effectively within his/her scope of practice. Nurse has a relative sense of urgency. Safeguards patient privacy and confidentiality. Provides care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner, respecting the values of members of all cultures. Maintains professional boundaries with patients, families, and employees. Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices, such as hand washing and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment. Demonstrates safe work practices. Complies with safety rules and regulations for safe job performance and fire protection. Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics, use of mechanical devices, and/or requests help when needed in moving, lifting, or turning patients to prevent injury to patient, self or others. Promptly reports all accidents to supervisor and notifies supervisor promptly of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions. Corrects safety hazards promptly. Maintains current professional knowledge and skills based on current evidence-based practice and applies to practice and care of patients. Participates in unit based educational activities and continuing education opportunities to increase clinical and professional knowledge. Promotes wellness by empowering the patient to self-management through education and patient driven health care delivery. Completes orientation, unit-based in-services, and mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by established time frames. Identifies own deficits in skills and knowledge and takes action to correct performance. Receptive to constructive feedback and self-directed in improving performance and interpersonal skills to enhance professional development. Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers. Practices good customer service in all work activities. Displays courtesy, empathy, tact, and respect for patients, families/significant others, and hospital staff. Remains calm in stressful situations and takes appropriate action. Promotes personal and professional integrity in the workplace. Uses the proper chain of command for communication. Communicates the plan of care with the patient and discusses the patient's progress with other health care providers. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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