Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse position works under the direction of an RN and reports to the primary care manager at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC Indianapolis - IN. The LPN is responsible for observing - recording - and reporting changes in the patient's condition - as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic care plan for life.

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: You MUST include qualifying specialized experience employment periods in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time - must include # of hours worked per week). AND - if you have held a Government position - that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume; Failure to include all requirements in your resume will result in disqualification. Please refer to https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ for additional information on resume requirements.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Education - Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) - at the time the program was completed
• OR Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed
• OR Granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• Licensure - Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• 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 (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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent
• Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information
• Ability to observe - identify - and response to a patient's needs for care including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members and other staff
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which includes preparing the patient and 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
• Preferred Experience: Experience working in a Primary Care setting
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS6
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent will be required to move throughout the clinic to interrelate with staff - patients - physicians - other medical center providers - and administrative staff
• This position involves considerable amount of standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• It requires some repositioning patients - assisting with transfers from wheelchairs/stretchers and transporting them to other departments or facilities
• Mechanical devices are available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift clients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting more than 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• The incumbent is expected to use proper [preventive ergonomic techniques to perform all duties
• The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The position also requires ability to work on computers for extended periods of time
• The incumbent must be able to use the computer without limitations
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials any may be required to don protective clothing during episodes of care.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties include but are not limited to: 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
• VA Indianapolis - IN The LPN performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication
• Demonstrates understanding of age- and population-specific characteristics through completion of age - culture - and population specific competencies
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate
• Based on the patient's goals - provides patient and family health education - to include self-management - prevention - and wellness
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members
• Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e. - respect - civility - ability to accept constructive criticism) - effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Adheres to principles of infection control - safety - and universal precautions
• Incumbent possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties
• Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills - safety and security measures
• Actively participates in PACT huddles and serves as a resource for new clinical and administrative staff members re: PACT principles
• Reviews and revises PACT schedule in advance of scheduled appointments and in conjunction with VSSC reports to optimize use of face-to-face - telephone - Nurse Health Maintenance - and other treatment modalities to improve patient outcomes
• Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe - efficient and cost-effective manner - using evidence-based principles
• Promotes patient and organizational safety
• Demonstrates competence utilization of Safe Patient Handing equipment
• Proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties based on the PACT model while providing care through panel population management
• Supports Care Coordination and Integrated Care Management through collaboration with PACT team to ensure continuum of care and optimal utilization of healthcare resources
• Completes nursing clinical reminders thoroughly and accurately per due dates and clinical appropriateness - including Suicide Screening - Alcohol Use Screening - Tobacco Use Screening - Pain Screening - Frail/Elderly Screening - etc.
• Develops and implements action plans - including educating nursing staff to address identified deficiencies
• Completes closure of patient encounters in a timely manner (within 24 hours of patient visit)
• Responds to patient telephone calls and call center agents in a timely manner to address patient care needs - including same-day access requests
• Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 experience
• Parental 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 child
• Child 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 $416.66
• Retirement: 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: Full performance - 91693A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized