Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. The Licensed Practice Nurse (LPN) is a position that is essential for the care delivery of patients at the Washington DC VAMC. The incumbent will be stationed at our Community Living Center. The Community Living Center specializes in long-term care - short term care - rehabilitation and hospice care.

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) 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
• 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 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-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
• 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
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Preferred Experience: Two years of long term care experience
• 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-06
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements
• See VA Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Geriatrics/Community Living Center/Hospice Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) assumes the role in direct and indirect care providing specialized patient-centered care patients
• The role resides throughout all units in the Community Living Center and reports directly to the Nurse Manager
• Within the Community Living Center - the LPN provides management for subgroup(s) of patients who may be admitted for long-term care - short-term care/rehab and/or end of life care
• Major Duties include - but are not limited to: Prepares - administers - and documents medications and immunizations as directed without error that may cause hard to patients
• Demonstrates practical and theoretical knowledge about medication side effects - purposes - therapeutic dosage range - and toxic effects with skill sufficient to administer a wide range of medications
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skill in preparation - administration - and documentation of commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - and intramuscular medications permitted by facility policies and procedures and within the LPN Scope of Practice
• Performs a learning needs assessment and provides individual teaching for self-administration of specific medications
• Recognizes subtle signs and symptoms of drug interactions and promptly notifies provider
• Observes for subtle physical - emotional side effects - or contraindications related to medications when interviewing patients
• Assists with medication reconciliation to improve patient safety
• Identifies medication deviations from normal and collaborates with provider to consider modifying patient medication regimen
• Provides patient education to improve patient safety and demonstrates creative and patient-centered solutions to help patients with medication self-administration in the home
• Collaborates with RN - provider - and/or pharmacist to address patient medication questions and/or changes in patient conditions from prescribed medications/treatment
• Performs basic nursing care duties such as taking vital signs - taking samples - and passing instruments
• Initiates an emergency response appropriate to the situation and provides resuscitation efforts independently
• Provide for activities of daily living (e.g. - bathing - oral care - continence care - etc.) Provide instructions to patients on health systems improvement and how to prevent illnesses and disease (e.g. - deep breathing for a post-operative patient - reduction of carbohydrate consumption for a diabetic patient)
• Ability to participate in basic patient and family education sessions
• Communicate verbally and in writing to adequately convey the current clinical status of any patient effectively and promptly
• Demonstrate knowledge of environmental safety - security - and privacy of the patient and privileged information to ensure patient's safety and rights
• The LPN is responsible for cleaning and maintaining all equipment in use in his/her area
• The LPN cleans and disinfects the reusable equipment after patient use and inspects the equipment for needed repair
• Should repair or dysfunction of the equipment be identified - the LPN will follow the identified procedures in the Medical Center for repair and/or replacement of the equipment
• In the event that equipment needed to perform his/her duties for the remote monitoring systems drop below a critical par level as established by departmental procedures - then the LPN is responsible for communicating with their immediate supervisor or designee for resolution
• All other duties as assigned per the Facility - Department - and/or Agency
• Work Schedule: FT - Tour of Duty may include Days - Nights - Weekends - and/or Holidays
• Schedule will be determined by Nurse Manager or Supervisor
• Compressed/Flexible: Not available
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 688-25094-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.