Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 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 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 **Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be offered**

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) - 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 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
• 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 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• or(b) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information
• Ability to observe - identify - and response to a patient's needs for care including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members and other staff
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which includes preparing the patient and 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
• Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking - bending - stooping - and some lifting
• There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Observes and interviews patients and significant others to gather data for reporting and/or documentation according to policy and standards
• Recognizes and reports to Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Health Care Provider (HCP) immediately signs and symptoms of emergencies such as evisceration - hemorrhage - shock - coma - seizure - and airway obstruction
• The LPN provides patient care and administers medications
• The LPN is responsible for the storage - proper cleaning techniques - and use of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME)
• Must be able to locate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all RME in the clinical area
• Responsible for carrying out proper procedures for caring for patients in an isolation environment by following proper infection control procedures
• Responsibilities: 1
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient population
• 2
• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry 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
• Completed work should need only a general review by a RN and/or HCP for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• 3
• 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 - recognized and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors 4
• 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 medication/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN and/or HCP
• 5
• Draws blood from patients assuring proper collection tubes are used and the correct number of tubes are drawn
• Reviews electronic health record and labels all samples appropriately
• Prepares specimens for laboratory processing - storage and/or transport in accordance with facility and laboratory policies
• 6
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situation - seek assistance of the RN and/or HCP - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• 7
• 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
• 8
• Established constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication - and socialization skills
• 9
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other inter/external customers
• 10
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which include preparing the patients - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing - and handling specialized instruments or other specialize equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during and following the procedure
• 11
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs - or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• 12
• Fosters and maintains an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• 13
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• 14
• Uses the Computerized Patient Record System
• attend classes as needed to maintain currency in computerized record documentation Work Schedule: 0730-1600 - or depending on hospital needs Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be offered