Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies - and competency in caring for adult Patients. Patients receiving care in the acute care settings - and are being treated for any number of medical conditions.

Qualifications

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-03 - 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-04 - 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
• 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/LVNs 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
• 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
• 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-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing and sitting - frequent bending - walking (distance) - climbing - reaching (overhead - extensive/repetitive) - pulling - pushing - repetitive motion and stooping
• The mental/sensory requirements include recall - reasoning - problem-solving - hearing - speaking clearly - writing legibly - keyboarding - reading and logical thinking - depth perception - hearing (aide permitted)
• near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements
• The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities - frequent - sometimes intense customer interactions - and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment
• There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease - illness and hazardous materials
• Work requires extensive walking - standing - stretching and bending in caring for patients.

Duties

• The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• The LPN/LVN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• The LPN/LVN is considered a novice and performs within this functional statement under close supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee
• Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill
• The LPN/LVN practices good customer service in all work activities
• Must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds
• Makes caring for the veteran his/her priority while in the work setting and demonstrates customer service principles in all aspects of work
• The incumbent is willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments Duties include: Provides for patient
• including placement of external and indwelling urinary catheters - changes dressing/pouches and irrigates established ostomies
• Provides catheter care and irrigates indwelling catheters
• Uses aseptic technique in performing treatments - such as simple and complex dressing changes - care of Stage I-IV pressure sores - bladder catheterizations and irrigations and tracheostomy care
• Provides Medication pre-pours and medication reinforcement teaching
• Measures and documents vital signs - pulse oximetry and fingerstick glucose testing
• Collects specimens of body excretions and/or secretions
• uses universal precautions and follows infection control policies and procedures in providing care and in specimen collection
• Maintains phlebotomy competency
• Demonstrates knowledge - skill and ability to recognize and respond to emergency situations
• CPR/BLS certified
• Performs peripheral venipuncture for the purpose of obtaining blood samples
• Demonstrates competence in all appropriate elements of clinical skills checklist during orientation and on an annual basis
• Uses good judgment in determining what tasks lie within the scope of practice and competency
• Demonstrates knowledge - skills and ability for concentrated effort and self-direction in providing a full range of practical nursing care to patients with unstable/complex physical and/or behavioral problems
• Demonstrates ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's need for nursing - medication and equipment assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal
• Considers physical - emotional and social factors when recommending modifications to the plan of care
• Demonstrates knowledge of human behavior - motivations and reactions to situations
• Demonstrates ability to use knowledge to work effectively with patients - families and other staff members
• Care provided is specific to age of the patient and takes into account bio-psychosocial differences related to age
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Other duties - as assigned
• Communication: Interacts with patients appropriately - works cooperatively with others - documents patient observations and care - and communicates information to other members of the health care team to facilitate holistic care
• Maintains confidentiality regarding patient information
• Attends and participates in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings - reports changes in patient's condition
• provides input into plan of care for patient
• Documents measurements obtained - care provided - and patient's response to treatment/medications and observations of behavior or physical condition in patient's record and reports to RN Case Manager
• Reports issues regarding patient/caregiver safety - including patient abuse in a timely manner
• The LPN will drive a government vehicle in the performance of their HBPC duties
• The applicant must possess a valid driver's license
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized