Summary

The incumbent performs a variety of supportive - nursing and medical tasks necessary to the care of patients during diagnostic and therapeutic visits to any ECHCS VA Primary Care Clinic location. The Licensed Practical Nurse's (LPN) practice is modeled on the standards established within the VHA model for Patient Aligned Care Teams.

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 the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• 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
• English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English
• 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-03: None beyond basic requirements
• 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 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-06: Completion of at least 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
• 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 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
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13 VA Qualification Standards The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS03 to GS06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• Requires potential long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• 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
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders - must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• ***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 20 - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 01/06/2025
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis OR until positions are filled
• *** The incumbent provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Is able to perform routine evaluation of patients while in the clinic setting by obtaining current symptoms and complaints - observing the patient's condition - behavior - and response to treatments and/or medications
• 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
• Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or health care provider
• The LPN has demonstrated knowledge - skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations
• GS-5: In addition to meeting the requirements for the GS-5 level - the LPN has completed an additional year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent and has the knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out knowledge of the most complex practical nursing care assignments
• Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or health care provider
• Individuals are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to a closer higher-level review
• GS-6: The LPN GS-6 has successfully completed at least one year qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent
• The LPN has demonstrated knowledge and ability with a variety of physical/or behavioral problems
• The LPN receives a daily written assignment and verbal instructions from the registered nurse who will evaluate performance and response to work obligation
• The LPN has the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition
• to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines
• and to accurately report and record significant patient information
• Completed work needs only a general review by the provider for technical soundness - appropriateness and conformity with policy and procedures
• The LPN has demonstrated the ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing - medication - and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal
• In modifying patient care plans - the LPN considers physical - emotional and social factors
• Guidelines include Medical Center policy and procedure manuals and memorandums
• Delivers safe care to assigned patients - while developing technical competencies based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice - VHA Directives - and local policies Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and/or prescribed treatment regimes
• Maintains professional boundaries with patients - families - and employees
• Behavior as a role model is transparent and above reproach
• Documents appropriate information in the patient record and reports and significant deviations to the RN and/or provider
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Performs other assignments designated by the RN or clinic providers which are essential to patient care and appropriate to the incumbent's level of training
• Uses motivational interviewing techniques to guide patients to establish goals
• The incumbent practices within their nursing scope of practice and functional level - demonstrating and promoting the mission of the VA and ICARE values
• Performs all unit specific nursing interventions and procedures to include but not limited to: Understand and implement the PACT model - PACT Protocols - PACT handbook VHA 1101.10(1 ) - implements - and documents education provided to patients and families
• Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center 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 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8 or 10 hours shifts 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)
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:57289 -57290 -57291 -57292-A