Practical Nurse

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Note: 2-3 years LPN experience preferred. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationGraduate 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 applicantVerification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC WebsiteLicensureFull - 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 ColumbiaAn LPN/LVN who has or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 of this partMay 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).Grade Determinations:GS-3. None beyond the basic requirementsLPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. - medication administration)however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved.GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVNOR Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and one year of experience that involved 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 proceduresOR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months durationLPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade levelhowever - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniquesGS-5. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalentDemonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problemsWorks 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 deliveryProvides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimesDemonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care - incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practiceKnowledge 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 proceduresObservation 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/DOKnowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrestRecognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective actionCompleted work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DOIndividuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing proceduresHowever - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level reviewGS-6. Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVNTechnically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populationsKnowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient's conditionto use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatmentsand to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient informationCompleted work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/proceduresAbility to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family educationIn organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - socio-economic - and age-related factorsPrepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/proceduresObserves 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 directedKnowledge 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 staffEstablishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skillsFosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care deliveryEffectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and - or other internal/external customersReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Duties This is an advanced level Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position in the primary care service located at the various associated community based outpatient clinics within the Birmingham VA healthcare systemThe Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care service - positive customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the VeteransAssignment duties may include but not limited to: Manages patient care problems for a wide range of patients including those with chronic and acute illnessAssesses - records and reports vital signs neurological signs weight and blood glucose levelsChecks patients into the clinic and documents intake dataProvides high quality nursing care using traditional and non-traditional modalitiesDemonstrates the ability to independently adjust or modify care being deliveredServes as a resource for complex slash specialized proceduresDemonstrates knowledge of standard precautions and sterile techniquesDemonstrates the knowledge and skill to interpret common test results and other medical dataPerforms clinical pertinence reviews to ensure compliance with nursing practice standardsAdministrative duties may include but not limited to: Completes all required documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with VA policy and TJC standards of careRemain current on all changes - improvements - and software patches related to VISTA and CPR systemsActively participates in continuous and ongoing performance improvement projects and/or primary care committeesAssists Nurse Manager (NM) with management of encounters Maintains current annual and professional licensure certifications - which includes all state licensure requirements for LPN's and BLS certificationLeads PACT huddles effectively and serves as a resource for new clinical and administrative staff membersMedication Administration duties may include but not limited to: Prepares - administers - and documents medications and immunizations as directed without errorObserves for subtle physical - emotional side effects - or contraindications related to medications when interviewing patientsAssists with medical reconciliation to improve patient safetyCollaborates with RN - provider - and/or pharmacist to address patient medication questions and/or changes in patient conditions from prescribed medications/treatmentsWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pmWork schedule may change based on agency needsVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: FS#60696F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized