Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse works under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN) and reports to the primary care nurse manager or primary care assistant nurse manager. The LPN is responsible for observing - recording - and reporting changes in the patient's condition - both through in person care or through a virtual healthcare modality - as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic care plan for life.

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
• 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
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions 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 stated in section A - 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. Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• 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. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• 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 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-6. 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
• 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 5 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
• Preferred Experience: One year ambulatory or clinic experience as an LPN - possess communication skills and customer service etiquettes - ability to work cohesively with colleagues and others in the healthcare setting
• 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-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (5-9 hours) - standing (4-8 hours) - stooping - sitting - repeated bending (2-4 hours) - pulling (2-6 hours) - and pushing (2-6 hours) - kneeling (1-2 hours) - twisting (2-4 hours) - climbing (1-2 hours)
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Lift 45 pounds or over - carry 45 pounds or over
• reaching above the shoulders - emotional stability - ability to distinguish basic and shades of color
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• 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.

Duties

• Major Duties Include but are not limited to the following: Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• The LPN performs - reports and documents assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics for both in person and virtual care modalities
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe techniques in preparation and administration of medication
• Demonstrates understanding of age-and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance - and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate
• Based on the patient's goals and as assigned by the RN - provides patient and family health education - to include self-management - prevention - and wellness
• Phlebotomy and lab duties to include: accessioning of specimens from computer system
• venipuncture for blood specimens
• collection and acceptance of other bodily fluids such as urine/sputum/stool
• proper labeling of specimens
• Performing proper lab technique of spinning - pouring off plasma and/or serum - and freezing samples collected with proper packaging of specimens for shipment to Columbia VA HCS
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice
• 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
• Possesses knowledge and demonstrates proficiency in the proper handling and pre- cleaning of reusable medical equipment
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties
• Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills - safety and security measures
• Actively assists the Teamlet and expanded Teams
• Will serve as a surrogate LPN as needed
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives and strives to elevate the practice standards in the clinic
• Assists in the orientation of students - peers - and clerical staff
• Maintains confidentiality of electronic - written and/or verbal patient information
• Maintains a work environment that honors diversity
• Serves as an advocate in the protection of patient and family rights
• Completes mandatory reviews for health coaching in order to encourage patient self-- management toward individualized life plan of care
• Uses broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures to support patient-driven care in a safe - efficient - and cost-effective manner using evidenced based principles
• Promotes patient and personnel safety
• All other duties as assigned Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• 0730-1600 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 58256F - 58257F - 58262F - 58261F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized