Summary

The Urology LPN can serve as a responsible member of the Surgery Service Area department team and interact with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care and with members of other services. The LPN GS-7 hasfull knowledge of Surgery Service policies and procedures and a basic knowledge of human anatomy to prepare and care for patients in the Urology clinical area.

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:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) - previously known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) - previously known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the ACEN Website
• 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
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• and for their future personnel actions under this authority
• The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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: For the grade of GS-7; 1) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in selected - more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings
• Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions
• Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general - and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans
• 2) Ability to assist RN and/or providers to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery
• Makes astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes - both physical and emotional - in patient's condition - and accurately andthoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or providers of changes in patient's condition requiring higher levelintervention
• At this grade level - the LPN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing - and - as appropriate - modifying patient care treatment
• They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patientsand demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations
• 3) Ability to proactively assist the RN or providers in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administrationand patient's response to medications/treatments received
• (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.)
• Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs andsymptoms of potential or actual drug reactions - promptly inform the RN or provider of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate - prescribed interventions
• Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect tothese responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels
• 4) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes
• Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control - resistant or abusive behaviors - or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions
• This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision
• 5) Exhibits skill - creativity - and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces - research projects or in developing educational materials/media
• Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice
• 6) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care
• Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology - effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas
• 7) The LPN GS-7 works of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision
• Individuals in these positions are - to a considerable extent - expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles - art - and science of practical nursing
• The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision
• 8) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice
• Minimum Experience: Of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent - fully meeting all the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN (3.5 years of LPN experience)
• References: VA Qualification Standards in VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13The full performance level of this vacancy is 07
• Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing
• S/he may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• S/he must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Applicants must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment
• Physical requirements may involve lifting - carrying - pulling - pushing - reaching above shoulder - walking - standing - sitting - kneeling - and repeated bending
• S/he must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Urology LPN performs - reports and records assigned duties including but not limited to: 1) The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) performs the functions of the LPN GS-6 - is involved to a greater degree in developing and modifying patient treatment plans - and in addition - carries out more specialized patient care duties using independent technical judgement under minimal supervision which includes but is not limited to: 2) Medication injections for urological disorders 3) Assisting in minor urology clinic procedures 4) Possesses knowledge specific to urology in order to review consults and identify appropriate pre-testing and placement of patient into the correct sub-speciality urology clinic based on criteria set forth by the urology service 5) Makes astute 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 6) Performs assigned nursing care responsibilities requiring the use of advance equipment - technology - or knowledge in procedures performed in the Urology clinic 7) Trained in the set-up and safe use of the of the equipment specific to urodynamic studies 8) Teaching/troubleshooting use of medical equipment in the Urology clinic 9) Provides patient and family education regarding the patient's condition - procedures - and preventive health care
• reinforces health teaching and takes an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles 10) Provides for supportive care of patients relative to transferring - escorting - and transporting patients or equipment as needed 11) Performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care - including but not limited to clinical reminders as indicated - checking expiration dates of medications and supplies - obtaining equipment - and assisting with minor procedures - documenting - and transporting procedural biological specimens - recognizing urgent or emergent patient care situations - and adhering to principles of infection control - safety - and universal precautions
• 12) Performs cleaning and stocking of the clinical rooms - procedure carts and performs monthly outdate monitoring 13) Attends all meetings - trainings/in-services/education required to maintain proficiency in Surgery Service clinical areas 14) Requires a general review of their work by the Surgery Clinic Nurse Manager for appropriateness and conformity with license - policies - and procedures Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm 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
• Not Available Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized