Summary

The Marion VA Heal Care System is seeking a full-time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with Surgical Specialty Clinic within Nursing Service located in Marion - IL. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the Surgical Specialty Clinics provides a vital role in the delivery of patient-centered care. This position involves direct patient care - patient education - and support in various surgical specialty areas.

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
• 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 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: Must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) 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: In addition to the Basic Requirements - 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-3: 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-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced toGS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in (a) thru (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
• (d) 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: (a) Completion of at least 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 RN or 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
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of three (3)years LPN experience - experience in outpatient setting within the last five (5) years - and experience in specialized area (podiatry - general surgery - orthopedics - urology and wound)
• 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 kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Duties

• The LPN works collaboratively with surgeons - registered nurses - and other healthcare professionals to ensure the highest quality of care for patients undergoing surgical procedures
• The incumbent will assist surgeons or other healthcare providers during surgical procedures - set up surgical instruments and equipment - ensuring sterility and proper functioning
• The incumbent will ensure that all necessary equipment is in stock and properly maintained
• Help coordinate patient flow to ensure timely and efficient patient care
• The incumbent educates patients and families about surgical procedures - post-operative care and follow-up appointments
• Responds to patient inquires and concerns - providing reassurance and information as needed
• The incumbent accurately documents in electronic medical record system
• Maintains patient confidentiality and privacy in accordance with HIPAA and VA regulations
• The incumbent actively participates in quality improvement initiatives and infection control practices
• Keeps current with best practices and new developments in surgical nursing through continuing education and professional development activities
• The incumbent maintains licensure and certifications as required by state and federal regulations
• PLEASE NOTE: These positions require Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• If selected - Applicants will provide proof of current certifications prior to employment
• Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m
• to 4:30 p.m. - excluding Federal holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized