Practical Nurse

About the role

The LPN is responsible for observing, recording, and reporting changes in the patient's condition, both through in-person care or through a virtual healthcare modality, as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic care plan for life. The LPN is a member of the patient healthcare Teamlet.

Major Duties

• Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response.
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.
• Performs, reports and documents assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics for both in person and virtual care modalities, including, but not limited to:
  • Oxygen administration if applicable
  • Medication administration to include Immunizations
  • Clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated
  • Check expiration dates of meds and supplies
  • Delegated procedures and treatments
  • Absists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy
  • Promotes whole health initiatives to include but not limited to- Tele-MOVE- Guided imagery
  • Conducts chart audits as assigned
  • Participates in performance improvement initiatives
  • Facilitates Clinical Video Technology appointments
  • Checks in and checks out Veterans on a daily basis
  • Collaborates with PACT team to review future appointments
  • Participates in daily huddles
  • Sets up and uses Secure Messaging within scope
  • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor, can be Assistant Nurse Manager or Nurse Manager
  • Adheres to standards of practice and safe techniques in preparation and administration of medication
  • Demonstrates understanding of age-and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
  • Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance, and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate.

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.

Benefits

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Schedule

Work Schedule: 7am-7:30p; 7pm-7:30am

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.

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 and/or accredited by, the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website.
• 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. An 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 part

Grade Determinations:

• GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs 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 LVN; or
  • 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 procedures; OR
  • Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• GS-5. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
• GS-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/LVN.