Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse provides safe - timely and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory Care setting. The Practical Nurse is able to interact and collaborate effectively with patients - families - other health care and supportive personnel. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.

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
• 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Exceptions include health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment 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
• 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 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 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 and Certifications 2-3 years PACT and/or Ambulatory Basic Life Support (BLS) 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/Demands: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing
• clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who" are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete- annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse will work within the Ambulatory/Primary Care PACT Clinics depending on their job assignment
• The LPN requires minimum guidance and supervision by the responsible Registered Nurse or Provider
• Completed work should need only a general review by RN or MD for appropriateness and conformity with the established policies and procedures
• Other duties and responsibilities include: Demonstrates knowledge and skills to carry out a full range of practical nursing care and specialized patient care duties to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems in the outpatient setting
• Assists with patient education and patient groups regarding medications and disease management
• Re-enforces all instructions previously given to patients by the MD/PA/NP/RN
• Demonstrates ability to manage telephone care to include disease management - medication management - lab and radiology results and other telephone communication
• Utilizes nursing protocols with attention to the individuality of patients - patient safety and evidence-based practice
• Assists in care coordination and access to specialty care through communication and placing consult per nursing protocols
• Proficient in observation and documentation of patient's vital signs - skin condition - intake - elimination - affect - sensorium - behavior - motor activity and personal needs according to established nursing procedures
• Demonstrates the ability to initiate appropriate actions based on his/her observation of patient's conditions and seeks assistance as each individual situation dictates
• Consistently documents pertinent observations and nursing procedures performed and their effectiveness
• Documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner - adhering to current policies and procedures
• Readily seeks assistance and guidance by consultation with MD/PA/NP/RN about changes in patient's conditions that requires a higher level of intervention
• Accurately documents prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies and procedures
• Documents patient's responses to medications/treatments received
• Observes for physical/emotional changes in patient's condition after the administration of medications and documents accordingly
• Reports an unforeseen result rom medication administration or medication errors immediately to MD/PA/NP/RN
• follows all hospital policies - procedures and documentation of the event
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not eligible Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required