Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran. The LPN/LVN routinely travels with inpatient - contract nursing home patients and outpatient Veterans who require assistance with activities of daily living.

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) and 7407(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 Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• OR Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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
• 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 - 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
• GS-05 - Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• 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
• 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
• GS-06 - 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
• 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 a 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 - 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
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06.Physical Requirements:This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires the nurse to read printed material and distinguish colors - such as reading doctor's orders and visualizing the hue of a patient's skin - wounds - etc. - and conduct visual inspections during patient assessment - including the ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around work space safely and to appropriately make contact with Veterans
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required - exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 15 pounds of force to frequently move objects
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The nurse 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 nurse may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The nurse must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• This includes but is not limited to the ability to work independently - ability to recognize situations beyond function/knowledge/training and request appropriate assistance
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• The nurse who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The LPN is the Patient Care Aligned Team (PACT) teamlet member who provides clinical support for the delivery of primary care services and operations management to a PACT
• The LPN also is responsible for providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure - certification - and functional elements of practice - to patient assigned PACTS's
• The LPN collaborates with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient plans
• The LPN manages clinic workflow by ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment
• Duties include but are not limited to: Assist with triage as appropriate
• Assist with exams/procedures
• Assist with group visits as directed
• Set up supplies - prep room for procedures
• Perform treatments (VS - EKG - FSBG - ear lavage - toenail care) Administer meds - performs wound care
• Complete pertinent clinical reminders Assist with medication reconciliation
• Assist with post discharge calls as directed
• Track and administer required immunizations
• Run injection clinics Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm 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 #: PD92607A - PD92608A - PD92609A - and PD92610A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized