Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for the delivery of care to Veterans in Nursing - Ambulatory Care Service. The LPN provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients and families within the clinic. Functions as a team member under the guidance of a Registered Nurse and is accountable for adhering to established policies - protocols - standards of care and standards of practice. The LPN is a key member of the PACT and multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

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 written and spoken English
• 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
• 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
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements 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 Experience/Education: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or Education: Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• Combined Education & Experience: 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
• GS-5 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the next lower level (GS-4)
• Additionally an LPN as this level will be able to demonstrate: knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• 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
• 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 Experience: 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
• LPN must be technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing car to variable patient populations
• Possess 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
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.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)
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 1 year experience - preferred 3-5-year clinical experience at a Grade 6 level.Previous experience in an Ambulatory Care and/or community-based clinic setting working with chronic disease management
• Has demonstrates strong organizational skills and problem-solving abilities and ability to work in fast-paced changing environment with minimal supervision and maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6
• Physical Evaluation: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds)
• Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds)
• Straight pulling and pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking - kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours
• repeated bending
• both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• both eyes required
• depth perception
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively apply aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative - interdisciplinary practice setting
• This broad-based clinical knowledge enables the LPN to effectively implement health promotion and prevention interventions - manage acute and chronic illness states - assist veterans in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning through rehabilitation - and provide supportive measures for the dying patient and their significant others
• The LPN possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to: Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers
• Maintain confidentiality of patient/resident information electronically - verbally - and written
• Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment
• Utilize nursing research - evidence-based practice and literature in daily practice
• Provide culturally competent care to a diverse patient/resident population
• Practice requirements include BLS where appropriate
• Recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance of RN and or Medical Officer /Duty Officer - and initiates appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Carry out assigned tasks reviewed by RN and or Medical Officer/ Duty Officer
• The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively apply aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative - interdisciplinary practice setting
• This broad-based clinical knowledge enables the LPN to effectively implement health promotion and prevention interventions - manage acute and chronic illness states - assist veterans in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning through rehabilitation - and provide supportive measures for the dying patient and their significant others
• The LPN possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to: Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers
• Maintain confidentiality of patient/resident information electronically - verbally - and written - using electronic medical records and Microsoft Office
• Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment
• Utilize nursing research - evidence-based practice and literature in daily practice
• Provide culturally competent care to a diverse patient/resident population
• Practice requirements include BLS where appropriate
• Recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance of RN and or Medical Officer /Duty Officer - and initiates appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Obtain labs and other specimen collections
• Monitors PACT metrics for teamlet
• Manages clinic workflow and daily schedule
• Ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner - and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment
• Carry out assigned tasks reviewed by RN and or Medical Officer/ Duty Officer
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 1 year experience - preferred 3-5-year clinical experience at a Grade 6 level
• Previous experience in an Ambulatory Care and/or community-based clinic setting working with chronic disease management
• Has demonstrates strong organizational skills and problem-solving abilities and ability to work in fast-paced changing environment with minimal supervision and maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications
• Work Schedule: Days off varies based on PACT TEAM schedule assignment - Monday-Friday Compressed/Flexible: Compressed Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized