Licensed Practical Nurse- Surgical Specialty

About the role

The LPN - Surgical Specialty GS-7 position is located at the Nashville VA in Nashville - TN.

Responsibilities

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency accredited by ACEN at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
• Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• 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).
• Completion of (minimum of 3 years of LPN experience) at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected - more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
• Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions.
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery.
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to medications/treatments received.
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal - safe and therapeutic patient care delivery.
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes.
• Exhibits skill - creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces - research projects or in developing educational materials/media.
• Performs direct patient care activities, as appropriate to assignment, (includes - but is not limited to): Manages patient care problems and deviations using self direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards.
• Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures (i.e suture removal - staple removal - wound care - blood draws - and clinic specific procedures - such as ear irrigation - performing EKGs - nebulizer treatments or assisting for set up of joint injections).
• Assists with diagnostic procedures that include preparing the patient - setting up sterile field and instrumentation - and monitoring the patient's condition.
• Collaborates with the Specialty team and other interdisciplinary services in the development - implementation - and evaluation of patient care.
• Exercises independent technical judgement and possesses a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles and science of practical nursing.
• Duties include following up on abnormal results with the provider and educating patients/families on disease management and anticipated plan of care.
• Serves in a leadership role within the Specialty team to promote holistic care and optimize clinic efficiency.
• Assists other staff to improve and advance their practical nursing practice as appropriate.
• Serves as a resource person and Super User for frequently used equipment in the clinic setting (i.e PYXIS - EKG and Car Lift) and utilizes appropriate protocol for equipment repair and maintenance.
• Functions as a team leader for other LPNs and non-licensed staff (as needed).
• Provides feedback to NM or designee including but not limited to observations of care provided by team members.
• Affords support to the Nurse Manager with planning and organizing specialized unit projects e.g Mobile flu clinic - injection clinic - and walk-in clinic.
• Performs phlebotomy and EKG as needed.

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.
• Education - Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc(ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
• Licensure - Condition of employmentActive - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• An LPN who has or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probation status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee.
• Proficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

Skills

Employees at the GS-7 grade level demonstrate broader skill with respect to these responsibilities.

Benefits

Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Pay

VA25

Schedule

Monday-Friday (days) or based on the needs of the service.