Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary

The Lead Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), GS-7 performs complex nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with a variety of physical, mental, behavioral or psychological needs and serves as a leader, mentor and preceptor within the Primary Care setting of the Fargo VA Health Care System.

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

Education:
Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)
See "Education" section for additional requirements and exceptions

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

Physical Standards:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
English Language Proficiency

Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.

C
7402(d), and 7407(d)
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:
The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility
To qualify for the GS-7 level, a candidate must have at least three (3) years of experience as an LPN/LVN maintaining acceptable standards within a health care setting under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO)
This experience must include completion of at least one (1) year of experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN
In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following GS-7 level Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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 and 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
Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery
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, and, as appropriate, 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
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
(This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration 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
Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels
Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or 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
Assists individuals or groups of patients and 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 or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions
This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision
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
Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice
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
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
In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff
Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision
Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, 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
Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice

References:
VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13

Note:
All qualifying experience and KSAs required must be clearly described in your application package
We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
It is strongly recommended that you submit a supplemental document with narrative responses detailing your experience that fully demonstrates each KSA required for the GS-7 level assignment
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)
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-7.

Duties "The LPN GS-7 work is of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or provider.

The LPN is responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Primary Care clinic and possesses the knowledge and skills for ongoing support of PACT principles and role development of the LPN in Primary Care.

Individuals in these positions will be self-directed in planning, implementing and evaluating tasks and programs assigned.

Duties Include but are not limited to: Serves as a clinical resource/mentor/educator to the PACT LPN's for routine and complex care of Veterans as well as a resource for medical equipment usage, maintenance and repair.

Provides direction and clinical oversight to the PACT LPN's.
Assists with staffing assignments, assignment changes and scheduled leave.
Evaluates the impact of staff assignments.
Assists with the work assignments of students and volunteers in the clinic setting.

Ensures standards of care and LPN performance is met by orientation of assigned staff, evaluating educational needs, performing competency evaluations of PACT LPN's and evaluating adherence to the LPN Scope of Practice.

Assists staff in order to prioritize the overall care needs and adjusts the plan of care as needed.
Prepares and administers prescribed medications.
Performs treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties.
VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career- Licensed Practical Nurse - pdf Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Recruitment Incentive:
Recruitment incentive authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants.
A service agreement is required for all relocation incentives.

Pay:
Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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 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.

Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

Physical Requirements:

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024.
Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made."

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