Community Living Center Licensed Practical Nurse

Major duties

• Prepares, administers, records, and communicates results of medications, vital signs, treatments, etc.
• Functions as the primary nurse under indirect supervision of the RN and gives the change of shift report to the oncoming shift nurse and nursing assistant.
• Carrries out emergency measures and initiating procedures for obtaining medical/other types of assistance.
• Initiates CPR as needed.
• Completes pain evaluations and on the basis of pre-formulated guidelines, either provides education or refers for further evaluation.
• Reviews the patient's progress toward established goals and motivates the patient toward the achievement of these goals.
• Documents as appropriate.
• Documents in medical record patient information including responses to treatments and procedures.
• Obtain and process blood, urine, and other samples for laboratory testing as ordered by a provider and in accordance with unit and facility guidelines.

Preferred Experience

• LPN experience in a long term care facility.

Qualifications

• Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
• Demonstrated 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 appropriately with patients, family members, professional, and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care.
• 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.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
• Completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.
• Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.
• Technically proficient 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 patient's condition, to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and to accurately recognize, report, and document relevant patient information.
• 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.
• 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 nursing assistants (NAs)/health technicians (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.

Physical Requirements

• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program.
• Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.