Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) will work in the VA Community Living Center (CLC) at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center where Veterans receive extended hospital care and short-term rehabilitation levels of care which includes help with activities of daily living, skilled nursing, hospice, and dementia care. The mission of a Community Living Center is to restore each Veteran to his or her highest level of well-being, to prevent declines in health, and to provide comfort at the end of life.

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
• 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
• 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 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-03 to GS-06
• In addition to the basic requirements stated above, additional criteria must be met for each grade
• Human Resources will determine eligibility and qualifications and recommend the appropriate grade level to the selecting official
• This determination will be made based on the information in your application
• To receive full consideration at the GS-5 and -6 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) described below
• GS-03- None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• 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 that demonstrates the following KSAs: 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 registered nurse (RN) and/or physician (MD/DO) to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs 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 in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of 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 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent that demonstrates the following KSAs: 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 RN or 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 recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors
• Prepares/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
• 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
• References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. 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.

Duties

• The Fort Meade VA Health Care System is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23)
• 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
• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Major duties of the CLC LPN include, but are not limited to: Participate in the evaluation of responses to interventions in the areas of health promotion, wound care, basic physical/psychological/social assessments, support care plans, palliative care, hospice
• Prioritize patient care needs, support care plans, seeking assistance and guidance by informing the CLC RN or the CLC providers of changes in patient's condition
• Direct patient care for Veterans within their scope of practice
• Perform complex procedures to include catheterizations, peripheral IV insertion, saline flushes in peripheral lines and maintenance of peripheral lines
• Assist provider with diagnostic tests and procedures
• Collect specimen samples from patients
• Recognize and support suicide prevention initiatives
• Recognize and respond to patient emergencies, initiating life saving measures while waiting for help to arrive
• Ability to provide Basic Life Support if needed
• Document data into the electronic medical record following established guidelines
• Mentor lower graded LPNs and unlicensed medical staff
• Assist with daily cares such as shower/bathing, dressing, ambulating, and feeding
• Prepare and administer medications prescribed by the provider
• Work Schedule: Full Time- 24/7 unit- Sunday-Saturday
• Rotating Day/Night Shifts
• Rotating weekends, and holidays required
• Shifts are 8 and 12 hour shifts
• Work is scheduled between the hours of 6:00am-6:30pm and 6:00pm-6:30am
• Shift based upon current need
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of 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 (13-26 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized