Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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
Citizenship
Citizen of the United States
(Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part
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/L VN 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
AND 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
OR Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
See paragraph 4, section C
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, 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-04 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or L VN; or Graduation from an approved school 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
GS-05 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
[Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/L VNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes
Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice
Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures
Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO
Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
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/L VN
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 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/L VN 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 LPN s/L VN s 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
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13, LPN Qualification Standards
This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04, GS-05, or GS-06
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Duties "Duties include but are not limited to???????: Observes and reports changes in patients' physical and emotional conditions utilizing elements of the nursing process of signs and symptoms identification, observation, perception, clinical measurements, screening protocols, and prescribed history taking.
Performs health history screenings per pre-formatted documentation.
Screens, intervenes, and follows through for acute/chronic medical and emotional conditions for adult through geriatric populations with minimal supervision of a registered nurse/provider.
Effectively demonstrates ability to gather data and observations, assist in planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating the care of patients seen in the outpatient care setting.
Distinguishes between normal changes that accompany the aging process vs.
pathological changes.
Recognizes priorities and adjusts patient care accordingly.
Recognizes and intervenes appropriately for urgent and emergency patient needs.
Demonstrates ongoing improvement as an experienced LPN in recognizing, assessing, and intervening in both acute and chronic medical conditions, and minor surgical.
Confers with other providers and Services to meet patients' needs beyond LPN scope of practice and experience.
Reinforces instructions accurately as previously provided to patient by RN or provider for further VA or community follow-up.
Demonstrates clinical competence in performing core and practice specific procedures according to the Competency Checklist.
Has the knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, rectal, vaginal, inhaled, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by policy/procedure.
Manages the daily operations of the podiatry technician clinic.
All other clinics and duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"

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