Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse position includes nurse health maintenance visits - panel management - data tracking - chart auditing and performance/quality improvement roles. These responsibilities also include independent implementation of evidence-based nursing practice and demonstration of advanced competence that promotes quality patient care to improve outcomes - safety - and performance metrics under the direction of the Registered Nurse.

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
• Education exceptions listed in qualification standard
• 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
• Physical Requirements
• *Please see physical requirements in additional information section
• English Language Proficiency
• Proficient in both spoken and written English
• 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment: 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 below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• Assignments: LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 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-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• And 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/L VNs 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-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
• And 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
• 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: One year experience as a LPN
• One year of prior experience working with Geriatric patients
• 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-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards - 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 Major Duties/Functions include - but not limited to: Assists with patient care problems and deviations in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards
• Maintains knowledge and skill to care for a wide range of patients
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of disease conditions - nursing principles - and standards/practices to coordinate nursing care required in the clinic setting and alter the sequence and/or care delivered to meet individual patient's needs
• Triages - records - and reports vital signs - weight - and blood glucose levels
• Appropriately prioritizes patient needs as routine - urgent - or emergent in the clinical setting and contributes to the Veteran's patient care/treatment as needed
• Recognition of urgent/emergent patient care needs - including hypo/hyperglycemia - acute shortness of breath - acute chest pain - seizures - stroke symptoms - mental health issues - etc
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of VA protocols and VHA directives related to clinic management - documentation - and computer technology
• Promptly recognize and effectively intervene in potentially urgent or emergent situations
• Completes Clinical Reminders to meet the changing needs of the patient with notification to the RN or provider for concurrence
• Triages prior to provider face-to-face visits - nurse visits - telephone triage - secure messaging - etc
• Applies knowledge by considering the interrelationship between age - physical - emotional - social - cultural - and population-specific needs when providing care
• Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures (i.e. - non-complex suture/staple removal - non-complex wound care - blood draws - and clinic specific procedures - such as ear irrigation)
• Assist with education of patients and family's principles of health - self-care - and treatments related to wellness and health promotion
• Communicates calmly - courteously - and professionally with all patients - personnel - and visitors while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and Medical Center policies
• Adhere to identified standards of care/practice for a variety of medical diagnoses
• Has standard precautions - medical asepsis - and sterile technique with the ability to correctly apply these principles and techniques and assist others with implementation in the clinic setting
• Takes an active role in health promotion and disease prevention to improve patient outcomes
• Provides one-on-one or group teaching as appropriate
• Incorporate patient education into care and modifies as necessary to meet needs of the patient using TEACH for Success and Whole Health strategies
• Promotes holistic care and optimize clinic efficiency
• Assists other staff to improve and advance their practical nursing practice as appropriate
• Active participant in quality improvement projects/hospital committees to promote evidence-based practice and performance improvement in the clinic setting
• All other duties as assigned - pertaining to this occupation - to meet the needs of the Agency - Department - Facility - and/or Service
• Work Schedule: Shifts may vary - (Weekend shifts may be required) 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 #: 000000