Practical Nurse

Summary

This position is in the Access & Office of Community Care (AOCC)

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: Written and Spoken Physical Standards: All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position
A physical examination prior to employment may be required
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 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
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
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social)
Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience
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: GS-6 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 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 5005/27, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated April 10, 2003
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6
Physical Requirements: Satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only
Duties "This is an advanced level Specialty Care LPN position.
The incumbent will monitor and capture workload credit, develop reporting procedures and participate in performance improvement activities aimed at improving patient care access and Specialty Care team processes.
For all assignments above the full performance, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Manages patient care problems and deviations using self-direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards.
Maintains knowledge and skill to care for a wide range of patients, including those with chronic and acute illness.
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of disease conditions, nursing principles, and standards/practices to coordinate nursing care required in the clinic setting and alter the sequence and/or care delivered to meet individual patient's needs.
Assesses, records, and reports vital signs, neurological signs, weight, and reports labs pertinent to each Specialty Clinic (i.e., reporting urine drug screen and toxic screen to Pain Clinic providers).
Appropriately triages and prioritizes patient needs as routine, urgent, or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed.
Checks patients into the clinic, interviews patient and/or significant other, and documents intake data as per the policy.
Possess comprehensive knowledge of VA protocols and VHA directives related to clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed.
Demonstrated knowledge, skill, and ability to promptly recognize and effectively intervene in potentially urgent or emergent situations.
Demonstrates the ability to independently adjust or modify care being delivered to meet the changing needs of the patient with notification to the RN or provider for concurrence.
Responsibilities include prompt recognition and treatment of urgent/emergent patient care needs, including hypo/hyperglycemia, acute shortness of breath, acute chest pain, seizures, stroke symptoms, mental health issues, withdrawal symptoms, etc.
Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures (i.e.
non-complex suture removal, non-complex assessments and reporting of information, non-complex nail trimmings, non-complex wound care, blood draws, and clinic specific procedures such as 12 Lead EKG's).
Performs venipunctures for blood draws, prepares specimens for transport and processing (centrifuge and serum separation, transcribes orders, accessions label, provides patient education about lab tests, et cetera.
Demonstrates knowledge and ability to access lab software, review lab orders, and ensure lab results are communicated to the patient within established guidelines.
Leads specialty care service huddles effectively and serves as a resource for new clinical and administrative staff members regarding specialty care clinic principles.
Reviews and revises specialty care clinic schedule in advance of scheduled appointments and in conjunction with Data Warehouse/VSSC reports to optimize use of face-to-face, telephone, VA Video Connect Nurse Health Maintenance, CVT, and other treatment modalities to improve patient outcomes.
Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"

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