Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

Qualifications

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
• 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)
• 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
• 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. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• or (b) 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
• or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• (d) 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 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• (b) 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
• (c) 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
• (d) 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
• (e) 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
• (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• (g) 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 (a) 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
• Preferred Experience: One year long-term or hospice experience preferred - but not required 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 VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The Licensed Practical Nurse provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients in the Primary Care setting
• He/she interacts - collaborates - and communicates effectively with the veteran - families - caregivers - professionals and other supportive staff both internal and external
• He/she initiates appropriate actions based on his/her observations of the patient's condition
• He/she requires a minimum of supervision and performs the functions listed below consistently with skill and effectiveness
• Duties are performed under the general supervision of a RN or Healthcare Provider (HCP)
• Individuals at this grade are expected to have broad working knowledge of practice nursing procedures - however - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer high-level review
• He/she is responsible for direct patient care activities under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN) - Written assignment - with supplemental verbal instructions that are given by the RN
• Work performance is observed and regularly evaluated by the Registered Nurse for purposes of competency validation - The practical nurse seeks guidance from the RN when difficulty is encountered with the assignment GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: 1
• Assists the Registered Nurse in the coordination of resident care activities with other departments by preparing for scheduled appointments/test/procedures
• 2
• Provides nursing care to residents - including feeding - bathing - shaving - wound care dressings - warm and cold compresses - suppositories - and administering enemas
• 3
• Reports - observes - and records physical and behavioral changes in resident's status
• 4
• Take and record resident blood pressure - temperature - pulse - weight - respiration - and collects specimens
• 5
• Provides and assists with lifting and positioning of residents - utilizing proper body mechanics - and lifting devices - as appropriate
• 6
• Assist the Physician - Nurse Practitioner - and/or Registered Nurse with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• 7
• Follows policies and procedures of standard - universal precautions
• 8
• Applies external devices - safety devices - and other supportive devices - as indicated or prescribed for residents
• 9
• Responds to call lights in a timely and courteous manner
• 10.Reports and records current observations - such as resident's physical conditions - variations in emotional responses - vital signs - and results of procedures
• 11.Administers oral - topical - subcutaneous/intramuscular and intradermal medications - may calculate medication dosages - observe effectiveness of medications - and document findings in resident's record
• 12.Demonstrates knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribes oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and/or intravenous medications permitted by approved medical center policies and procedures
• 13.Administers and records treatments such as ostomy irrigations - tracheotomy care - catheterizations - and internal tube feedings
• 14.Initiates CPR in critical emergencies - until the rapid response team arrives to the department
• 15.Performs oral and tracheal suction through mouth or established tube - such as tracheotomy
• 16.Assists the RN with admitting - transferring - and discharging residents
• 17.Reports and records potentially unsafe unit and patient activities/equipment
• 18.Perform all other duties - as assigned - within GS-3 LPN role Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:45am-8:15pm 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)
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.