Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)

Summary

This Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse position is located within the Primary Care Service at the VA Providence Healthcare System. The position is permanent and full-time at 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

• 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: Practical 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)

• 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

• License: Full - active - current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States - or District of Columbia

• Grade Determinations: Possess completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN

• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' 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

• Support Duties: Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) & 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/DO; Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - & initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed; Knowledge & understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations & ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members & other staff; Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings & attitudes - & to promote positive relationships - communication & socialization skills; Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient & family rights to privacy & dignity in all aspects of care delivery; Effectively incorporates knowledge & 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 & handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - & monitoring the patient's condition before - during & 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 knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve & advance nursing practice

Responsibilities

• 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

Work Schedule

Full-time - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (Tour of Duty will be determined based on the need of the facility.)

Total Rewards

The Licensed Practical Nurse is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients. They recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group while considering the cognitive - physical - emotional - and chronological maturation needs of the patients - demonstrating competence and correctly providing appropriate care for that age group or groups. Duties include - but are not limited to:

• 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