Career Center

The incumbent serves as an LPN and is organizationally responsible to the assigned Nurse Manager of Surgical Specialty Care. The Licensed Practical Nurse uses knowledge and skills to complete assigned duties which involve performing standard LPN activities at the assigned level with supervision by the Registered Nurse. The incumbent is expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure and techniques. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/07/2022. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. English Language Proficiency. Licensed 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). Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-03: 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-04: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR (b) Graduation from an approved school 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5: (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works 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 delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. (c) Demonstrated 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 practice. (d) 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. (e) Knowledge 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 arrest. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-6 (a) 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. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. (d) 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 LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. (e) Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and 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 RNor MD/DO.(f) Knowledge 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 directed. (g) 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. (h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. 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. (i) 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 LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. (j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD ** The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06 ** The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. ["*This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program.* Duties include but are not limited to: Demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Possess knowledge and skills sufficient to complete assigned duties/responsibilities which involve performing nonstandard and specialized Licensed Practical Nurse activities at the specific GS level with minimal supervision by the Registered Nurse. Perform a moderately difficult range of nursing care activities, which have been acquired through training and experience. Contribute to the assessment planning, implementation, and evaluation of the nursing care that expedites the patient's return to, or maintenance of, optimal functioning. Possess the ability to assess patient's status and interpret the appropriate information to identify each patient's age-specific needs and to provide the identified care. Report and record observations and information related to the care of the patient and integrate the use of health care technology into the provision of nursing care (including timely and thorough electronic medical record documentation). Serve as a responsible member of the patient care team requiring interaction with patients, family members, professional personnel, supportive personnel and members of other services. As a responsible member of this team, the LPN will respond to concerns of patients and visitors in a manner that is effective and improves customer satisfaction. Recognize and properly use equipment, materials and supplies to carry out procedures and other assignments with only a general review by the Registered Nurses for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with established policies and procedures. Check equipment supplies and containers. Identify and report health and safety hazards in the work area and practice safe work habits. Perform a number of skills and procedures within their scope of practice with supervision by a Registered Nurse. Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology and recognize problems with outpatient medication administration, as prescribed by the Surgical Specialty Care Provider and authorized in policies and procedures as provided by the VA Health Care System. Participate in patient/family teaching programs related to health promotion and reinforces instructions provided by the Registered Nurse and provider and documents in approved format. Maintain skills as identified by the unit specific competencies. Manage a group of patients for diagnostic testing results, return appointment notification and follow up telephone calls as necessary. Possess knowledge and skill sufficient to integrate the use of health care technology and/or information management system into the provision of nursing care (including timely and thorough electronic medical record documentation). Demonstrate ability to identify what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are used in the clinical area; identify which items are reprocessed on the unit and which are sent to Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for reprocessing; awareness of initial decontamination steps (pre-cleaning) that must be taken prior to transport to SPS; ability to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations; and must have documented training in the set-up, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment with validation of ongoing competency at least annually. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm and occasional Saturdays.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]