Summary

The LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center is seeking a Full-Time Licensed Practical Nurse for the PACT/Sub-Specialty Clinics at the Howell VA Clinic within the Ambulatory Care Service.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• 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: 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• See paragraph 4 - section C
• 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)
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements listed above
• LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. - medication administration)
• however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:1
• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• or2
• Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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
• or3
• Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques
• GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.1.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.2
• 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.3
• 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.4
• 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.5
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.6
• 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 one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.1
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.2
• 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.3
• 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.4
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.5
• 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.6
• 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.7
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills.8
• 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 instruments.9
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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. Physical Requirements: See Additional Information section

Duties

• The LPN will be assigned to various Primary Acute Care Teams and/or Sub-Specialty Clinics
• This LPN may be assigned to one or more clinical areas within the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) - and offsite ancillary clinic to perform clinical roles within the scope of their practice
• Duties Include - but are not limited to: Documenting obtained Vital Signs including pulse - blood pressure - respirations - temperature - and pain level
• Completes clinical reminders for preventive health screening including mental health screening Draws blood - handles specimens - appropriate use of centrifuge - ordering and organizing lab supplies - daily monitoring of Viewpoint - and proper packaging of samples for testing
• Takes appropriate action for positive reminders Performs diabetic foot screening including visual screening - pulses - sensation - and nail clipping
• Administers influenza - pneumococcal - tetanus - COVID-19 - and other conventional vaccinations per protocol
• Refers patients to appropriate resources including social work - dietitian - speech pathology - SAC - smoking cessatin - and physical and occupational therapy after screening
• Performs clinical measurements as routine or specific to clinic area needs/standards including: Glucometer measurements - Neurological vital signs - Performing EKG - pulse oximetry - bladder scanning - and post void residual
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication
• Procures sterile and non-sterile specimen collections
• Prepares equipment and administers Oxygen Therapy
• Applies elastic bandage - hose - and 4-layer compression - as determined appropriate
• Applies hot and cold non-sterile compresses
• Performs sterile dressings and irrigations Completes accurate encounter forms
• Appropriately responds to and completes View Alerts
• Recognizes and successfully cares for patients of different ages - including young adult - middle aged adults - and older adults - demonstrating understanding of how age affects the health care needs of patients
• Participates in notifying patients of test results
• Reviews consults for designated clinics utilizing established protocols developed by the Clinical Service Chief - referring complicated consults to the care manager or provider
• Provides patient and family education regarding the patient's condition - procedures - and preventive health care
• Maintains precise adherence to basic principles of asepsis - safety - and universal precautions to provide a safe environment for patients - families - and employees
• Proper knowledge and handling of instruments - including cleaning and sterilization
• Provides supportive care to patients
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to support - develop implement - and evaluate patent care plans
• Utilizes the computer to access patient data - review progress notes - and short medication profiles
• Orders labs and looks up test results
• Documents progress notes on CPRS
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #92231-A - 92232-A - 92233-A - 92234-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized