Licensed Vocational Nurse - Ambulatory Care

About the role

The LVN performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran.

Responsibilities

• 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 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
• In organizing and delivering care, the LVN/LPN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, and intramuscular) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes 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 and/or a provider
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or provider 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 promote positive relationships and communication
• 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 LVN/LPNs 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
• Collaborate with the PACT teamlet throughout the day for appropriateness and conformity of team's expectations
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience

Qualifications

• 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 by the applicant
• Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school

Skills

• 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
• Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seeking the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assisting in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
• 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
• 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
• Collaborate with the PACT teamlet throughout the day for appropriateness and conformity of team's expectations

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full-time employees with a total family income below $144,000

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Schedule

M-F 0730a-1600p