Career Center

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-Community Living Center (CLC) position provides specialized, safe, and individualized nursing care in a complex environment. A Community Living Center (CLC) is a VA Nursing Home. Veterans may stay for a short time or, in rare instances, for the rest of their life. It is a place where Veterans can receive nursing home level of care, which includes help with activities of daily living and skilled nursing and medical care. 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. This is an open continuous posting and may close before the listed closing date. A certificate will be issued every 15 days until a selection is made. 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. Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education: Must be a graduate of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. License: Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. May 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-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: 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: (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. OR(d) LPNs at the GS-04 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-03 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-05: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 level or equivalent. Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): 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. 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. 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. 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. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. 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-06: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05 LPN/LVN: Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 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 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. 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. 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 RN or MD/DO. 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. 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 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Preferred Experience: Long term care/ nursing home experience ["Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to) and are at the full performance level: CLINICAL FUNCTIONS: Performs most complex practical nursing care assignments with precision and efficiency consistent with Nursing Service policy and procedure and within the legal and ethical responsibilities of the LPN Provides safe and individualized nursing care to assigned acutely ill residents with difficult, complex, and rapidly changing physiological and/or emotional needs. Demonstrates self-direction and flexibility in fulfilling the requirements of a complex assignment. Documents information regarding the resident's condition and progress in the resident's chart. Reports observations, recommendations, and actions to the appropriate RN. Participates in admission and orientation of the new resident. Documents discharge instructions. Performs ordered treatments and procedures according to established Nursing Service procedures. Completes assigned nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities. Monitors IV flow rates and sites. Changes IV site dressings and discontinues IV therapy. Reports observations to the RN. Transcribes, prepares, administers, and documents medication alertness to actions, side effects and usage following established Nursing Service policy and procedure. Recognizes and responds appropriately to potentially life-threatening situations as they develop. Modifies the plan of care and notifies the appropriate authorities. Collaborates with the RN when developing, evaluating, or modifying a plan of care with consideration of physical, social, and environmental factors. Participates in assessing, implementing, and evaluating resident learning needs for resident and family teaching. Documents on the resident teaching record. Demonstrates the ability to establish constructive interpersonal relationships with residents, families, nursing staff and staff from other services. Utilizes effective communication skills in maintaining these relationships. Functions as an associate nurse and/or team leader. Administer enteral feedings to residents Insert nasogastric tubes. Monitor and measure gastric residual. Perform catheterization and establish drainage systems, irrigate catheters, and perform colostomy irrigation according to established procedure. Replace suprapubic catheters. Assist in diagnostic and treatment procedures. Place and flush peripheral intermittent infusion devices with saline. Replace established gastrostomy tubes (except PEG tubes). Resident Care Duties: Uses independent judgment in planning resident care for a select group or ward of residents following nursing care policies and procedures and under the general supervision of a RN. Carries out recurring tasks independently using initiative and judgement and without specific instructions. Refers deviation, problems and unfamiliar situations not covered by instructions to the RN and/or Medical Doctor (M.D.). This is done in accordance with Nursing Service policies and procedures for communication. Recognizes deviations from normal conditions and initiates immediate actions to change the treatment plan as deemed necessary. Notifies the RN of the change for concurrence. This is done by using knowledge, skill, and ability to recognize and respond to emergency situations. Insert nasogastric tube and check for correct placement for the purpose of maintaining adequate nutrition/hydration, administering medications or to empty the stomach for a period of time. Facilitates the resident's ability to meet health care needs and make informed informal decisions about health by taking an active role in resident/family teaching. Teaching may include disease etiology, signs and symptoms, usual treatment and self-care skills or procedures to meet health care needs after discharge. ADMINISTERS SELECT MEDICATIONS: Hangs, monitors, and discontinues selected Intravenous (I.V.) fluids. Hangs selected NP8 medications as outlined in hospital policies and procedures. This requires knowledge of the operation/management of I.V. pumps, controllers, and dial-a flow devices; standard procedure for I.V. site care with documentation in the clinical record; and successful completion of an I.V. Therapy Course is a prerequisite. Accurately measures and correctly dispenses selected oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and selected IVPV medications; documents administration according to Nursing Service policies and procedures. Irrigates Heparin locks according to Nursing. Service policy and Procedure. Work Schedule: 12 Hour Shifts, Rotating Weekends (future vacant positions may have other schedules) Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00266-F, 00265-F, 00264-F, 00263-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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