Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse position is located in the Nursing Service at the Auburn Gresham CBOC which is located at 7731 South Halsted Street - Chicago - IL 60620 - which is a part of the Nursing Service of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center - Chicago - IL. The LPN is responsible for performing nonstandard and specialized nursing activities - requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing 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) 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
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• 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
• 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
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: 5 years medical-surgical experience and at least 2 years primary care or ambulatory care experience
• 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
• Physical Requirements: Walking - bending - stooping - and lifting in the direct care of patients
• some extended periods of sitting and/or standing.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4Total-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 informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• Performs - reports - and appropriate records assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics - including - but not limited to: Oxygen Therapy Medication Administration EKGs Clinical Reminder Completion with appropriate alerts as indicated Check expiration dates of medications and supplies Delegated Procedures and Treatments Documentation Assists with minor procedures - including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment - positioning patient - ensuring comfort and privacy
• Responsible for ear irrigations and monitoring patient during the procedure
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication
• Promptly recognizes urgent and 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 of pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment
• Responsible for scrubbing of the PCP schedule prior to daily huddles i.e
• labs - appointments - hospital/ER discharges
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties including SPH equipment
• Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills - safety and security measures
• Promotes patient and personnel safety Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: ???????07001F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized