Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse position is located within the Surgical Service at the VA Providence Healthcare System. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

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
• Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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
• Education
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved/accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• OR - 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 - 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
• OR - Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• See paragraph 4 - section C
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements - candidates must meet the following grade requirements.GS-7 Grade Level: The GS-7 grade level is for select - complex LPN/LVN positions - as established by each health care facility
• To be advanced - employees must meet all of the following standards - provided the standard is part of their assignment
• NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit
• Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO - employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) - as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures
• Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients
• (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent - fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN
• (b) 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/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
• (c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care
• Makes astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes - both physical and emotional - in patient's condition - and accurately and thoroughly 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 MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• At this grade level - the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing/modifying patient care treatment
• They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations
• (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received
• (May include restricted meds locally authorized for admin by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions - promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate - prescribed interventions
• (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent/emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene - as directed - to assure the continuation of optimal - safe and therapeutic patient care delivery
• At this grade level - the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate
• (f) Assists individuals or groups of patients/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/abusive behaviors - or impediments in their ability to understand/follow instructions
• This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision
• (g) 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
• (h) 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
• (i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery
• Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO
• The LPN/LVN 7 is also responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff
• (j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision
• Individuals in these positions are 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
• (k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - and provide leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Please see VA Handbook and Directive 5019 - Employee Occupational Health.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Eye Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) has an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures/practices necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex nursing care assignments
• The LPN 7 has a broader work experience with demonstrated skills sufficient to resolve a full range of nursing and patient care problems
• This knowledge - skill - and experience is used to lead and develop LPN colleagues within the clinic and regionally to improve veteran health and achieve performance standards
• Duties include - but are not limited to: The LPN appropriately performs and documents all or part of the following duties in ambulatory care settings depending upon the scope and complexity of the practice and veteran care needs: Conducting Nursing Standing Orders by Protocol - Clinical Reminders with appropriate Consults in alerts as indicated - such as Call Center or MHV/Secure Messaging
• Providing oxygen therapy - medication administration - or complex treatments such as wound care
• Checking for expiration dates of medications and supplies
• Assists in pre-operative teaching and coordination of care for surgical patients
• Communicating with patients and documenting care through appropriate process or mechanism such as progress notes - clinical reminders - letters - or MHV/Secure Messaging
• Assists with minor procedures including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment - participating in time-outs - positioning and ensuring comfort and privacy - and veteran monitoring
• Acts as a resource for complex/specialized procedures and serves as a trainer - resource - and coach
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual Veterans and family members/caregivers to promote positive relationships communication - and socialization skills
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with veterans and family members incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice
• Demonstrates professional behavior - effective communication - and interpersonal skills
• Adheres to principles of infection control - safety - and universal precautions
• Possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment
• Demonstrates initiative in assisting the Surgical Service and expanded Interdisciplinary Team
• Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of Veteran and family rights
• Other duties - as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday - Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm (Tour of Duty will be determined based on the need of the facility.) 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
• Functional Statement #: 650-F05715 Notifications: Due to a critical staffing shortage - 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees
• This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position
• This position is covered by a special rate
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• This position is in the Excepted Service.