Practical Nurse/ Vocational Nurse - Specialty Care

Summary The LPN is responsible for upholding the philosophy - mission - and value statements of the medical center and objectives of the nursing profession. The LPN/ LVN is expected to participate in the development of patient-centered care plans and begin to establish patient care standards in all aspects of parctice. 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 PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyLicensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] 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 by the applicantExceptions include 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 OR 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.OR Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved schoolLicensure - 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 ColumbiaMay 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each gradeThe candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the gradeGS-03 - 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 involvedGS-04 - 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 durationGS-05 - 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 regimesKnowledge 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 proceduresGS-06 - 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/LVNKnowledge 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 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 a 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 directedEstablishes 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 customersKnowledge 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 procedureServes 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/proceduresPreferred Experience: Completion of 2 yers direct patient care experience IV certification preferred Reference: 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 in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneelingSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019 LPN/LVN physical standards. Duties The LPN assists in the identification of problems and formulation of goals - outcomes - and patient-centered plans of care that are developed in collaboration with patients - their families - and the interprofessional teamThe LPN can participate in implementing established teaching plans and providing education to patients and their familyDuties include but are not limited to Demonstrates ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts 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 practiceEnter orders using the approved Nursing Protocols ( Hold to Sign) in response to identified patient needsOrders may include labs - procedures such as EKG's and Chest X-raysUses the Computerized Patient Record System {CPRS) - and Bar-Coded Medication Administration {BCMA) - software per policyComplete chart and scheduling reviews for the following day ( scrubbing) with minimal supervisionPerforms a wide range of clinical and administrative functions daily - including but not limited to completing Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR-S) - conducting patient data intakes - and answering secure messages - multi-level patient tracking - schedule preparation (scrubbing) - and reinforcing patient educationIndependently prepare the room and equipment for sterile procedures - follow the Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) policy and procedures with non-reusable and stainless-steel instrumentation and scope handlingAssists with triage telephone calls/messages from patients and face-to-face visitsFlexible in adapting to work demands and numerous assignmentsServes as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or others related to support dutiesDemonstrates ability to solve problems and function independentlyPerforms other related duties as needed or assigned to support the functions of the service as assigned by the Nurse ManagerVA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm 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 (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)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 experienceParental 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 childChild Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 55697F - 55698F - 55699F - 55700F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: This position is in the Excepted ServiceThe salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidateVeterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employeesThe 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this positionFor more information - refer to Required Documents belowIf you are a current federal employee - you are required to attach your Most Recent non-award SF-50This should be SF-50 from the current calendar year which shows your current position - grade and stepAward SF-50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted.