Summary

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides direct patient care services under the direction of the Nursing Service Registered Nurse and is assigned in the Medicine Specialty Clinics at VACCHCS Fresno - CA. The primary purpose of the LVN is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving Veterans.

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) - 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: 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 - Granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/LVN
• OR - Individuals 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
• 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 Requirements
• Qualifying experience is successful nursing practice as an LPN/LVN - maintaining acceptable standards within a health care setting under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) and passed the State licensure examination on the first attempt
• To be creditable - practical nursing experience as an LPN or LVN must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference or through other independent means
• Part-time experience is credited according to the relationship it bears to the full-time workweek (e.g. - an LPN/LVN who worked 20 hours per week - i.e. - half-time - would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks)
• In addition to the basic requirements the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• Grade Determination.GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: 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
• OR -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
• AND Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• 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
• GS-6: Completion of one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN AND 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 RN/MD/DO for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• 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/LVN 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
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 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 The GS-3 Licensed Vocational Nurse (GS-3 LVN) is expected to begin to develop knowledge in the provision of care to a wide range of patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• The GS-3 LVN practices in a patient care setting under constant mentorship of an experienced LVN or an RN and is under the direction and supervision of the Head Nurse
• The GS-4 Licensed Vocational Nurse (GS-4 LVN) provides direct patient care services under the direction and supervision of the Nursing Service Registered Nurse and the Head Nurse (RN)
• The GS-4 LVN has experience and engages in nursing care and practices which do not require full professional education - but require the knowledge and skills represented by licensure as an LVN
• The GS-4 LVN will continue to develop skills
• The GS-5 Licensed Vocational Nurse (GS-5 LVN) practices in a patient care setting in collaboration with an experienced LVN or an RN and is under the direction and supervision of the Head Nurse
• The GS-5 LVN is expected to demonstrate the following: Provides care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Provides education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and/or prescribed treatment regimen
• Observes and documents patient's responses to medications administered
• Recognizes urgent situations and reports emergencies
• Assists in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
• Performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care in any of the specialty sections assigned
• Provides a full range of practical nursing care
• Provides the following: Oxygen therapy
• Administers medications and treatments prescribed
• Preventive screenings
• follow ups and alerts
• Measure and chart vital signs: checks expiration dates of meds and supplies
• Assists in minor procedures and treatments including EKG
• Coordinates with outside providers
• Plans - prioritizes - and completes tasks based on established protocols/accepted medical service practices - VACCHCS policy and procedures - and VHA Guidelines
• The GS-6 Licensed Vocational Nurse (GS-6 LVN) is technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• The GS-6 LVN is expected to deliver on the following: Carries out assigned patient care based on the patents' 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
• Observes - identifies and responds to the patient's needs for care
• Recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications
• Performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medication/treatments
• Recognizes urgent and emergent patient care situations
• Established constructive relationships with individual patients and their families and ensures privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Performs support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - and monitors the patient's condition before - during and following the procedure
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LPN/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday thru Friday 0730 - 1600 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) Functional Statement #: 07871F - 07872F - 07873F - 07874F