Licensed Practical Nurse (Inpatient)

About the role

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse (Inpatient) 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.

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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless 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. Exceptions include: health care education or training in the military service accepted by the licensing body for full LPN/LVN licensure; current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of VHA converted under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) (Public Law 98-160) or 38 U.S.C. 7405 (Public Law 99-576); or individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
• Licensure: Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, the following criteria must be met for each grade. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06; the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected ranges from GS-03 to GS-06.

• GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); completed work may require routine or detailed higher-level review depending on complexity.
• GS-04: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the following: six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN; graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration (waivable) and one year of nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised patient care facility providing practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques; or successful completion of a practical nursing program of at least 9 months combined with 1 year of nursing assistant experience, or a 2-year degree program in practical nursing at an accredited community/junior college or university. GS-4 LPNs perform all GS-3 duties but exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and techniques.
• GS-05: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, plus demonstration of required grade-level KSAs as outlined in the Assessment.
• GS-06: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all GS-5 LPN/LVN performance requirements, plus demonstration of required grade-level KSAs as outlined in the Assessment. May qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision per the VA Qualification Standard (applicable only to current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the criteria).

Reference: VA Qualification Standards

Physical Requirements

• Significant physical activity including standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning.
• Duties involve restraining, repositioning, and transferring patients; using mechanical devices for heavy or difficult lifts; and transporting patients to other areas.
• Work may require lifting over 50 pounds and climbing stairs.
• Exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials is possible, necessitating protective clothing in certain situations.
• Essential skills include visual acuity, good hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and the ability to work with arms above shoulder level and control physical situations.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, perform, and complete assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• Carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information.
• 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, recognize and consider emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous) and perform treatments according to established policies/procedures.
• Observe for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medication/treatments; promptly and accurately document noted changes; report any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
• Recognize urgent and emergent patient care situations; seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO; initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations, and reactions to situations to work effectively with patients, family members, and other staff.
• Establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes; promote positive relationships, communication, and socialization skills.
• Foster an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery.
• Effectively incorporate knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.

Schedule

Full-Time, 11:30am – 8:00pm, including weekend and holiday rotations. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position.

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Grade range: GS-03 to GS-06.

Benefits