Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)

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 spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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
• Education
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved/accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• 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) in 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 - 1986and for their future personnel actions under this authorityThe 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

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

• In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet the following grade requirements
• GS-3 Grade Level: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Grade Level: Experience
• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN
• OR - Education
• Graduated from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• OR - Combination
• Graduated from an approved school and one year experience that involves 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 Grade Level: Experience
• One year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-4) AND - In addition to the above one year experience for the GS-5 grade level - applicants must also demonstrate the below Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• 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.
• GS-6 Grade Level: Experience
• At least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - AND - In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• 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 patients' conditionsto use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatmentsand to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DOKnowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• 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
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers
• 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 NAs/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

Responsibilities

Duties:

• Serves as an active member of the healthcare team with professional and supportive personnel
• Attends meeting with the inter-disciplinary treatment team and contributes to the development and changes in the comprehensive treatment plans
• Demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the knowledge of the patient's condition
• Assumes the responsibility for patients - in accordance with standards and recommendations - with the Registered Nurse (RN) ultimately responsible
• Identifies environmental hazards and initiates appropriate intervention
• Adheres to safety regulations and infection control practices as outlined in the policy and procedure manuals
• Collaborates in the assessment of the health status of a patient
• Participates in health screening - clinical reminders - telephone calls and treatments as assigned
• Participates in the evaluation of patient responses to interventions
• Recognizes - reports and records promptly change in physical condition and behavior of patients
• Completes routine documentation of results of care and treatment according to policy - guidelines - instructions/templates utilizing the electronic record and information network
• Uses proper channels to resolve ethical issues
• Differentiates between emergent and non-emergent conditions
• Reports promptly and accurately records critical/emergency situations
• Takes proper precautions to prevent injury to self - patients and others
• Identifies and reports unsafe conditions to appropriate officials
• Serves as an advocate for the patient by communicating and collaborating with other health service personnel as delegated
• Demonstrates common courtesy to patients - family members - visitors and staff
• Responds to requests for assistance promptly and in a professional manner
• Performs other duties as assigned