Summary

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a member of the nursing team who works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and performs assignments requiring licensure as a vocational/practical nurse. Care may be provided to patients in a variety of settings, i.e. Ambulatory Care Including but not limited to primary care, specialty care, mental health, surgery, special procedures, and Home/ and Community Based Care.

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 accredited by the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• See education section for 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
• 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: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• or (b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• (d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques
• GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• a.) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• b.) 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
• c.) 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
• d.) 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
• e.) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• f.) 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-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
• a.) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• b.) 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
• c.) 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
• d.) 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
• e.) 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
• f.) 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
• g.) 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
• h.) 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
• i.) 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: Recent ambulatory care experience 1-3 years medical surgical experience 1-3 years specialty/outpatient care experience Tele Health nursing 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The position will require moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling (0.5 hours), pushing (0.5 hours), reaching above shoulder, walking (5.3 hours), standing (5.3 hours), and repeated bending (5.3 hours)
• SPECIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Activities may require transport of stretchers, and beds, with or without patients
• In patient clinic area, hazards include risk of exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substance, electrical hazards and risk of physical injury associated with patient.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties outlined below are the GS-6 Licensed Vocational Nurse
• The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) will make observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response
• The Licensed Vocational Nurse Completes all clinical reminders that may be completed by the LVN prior to the due date and closes encounters
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• Additional duties will include, but are not limited too: Performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care in Primary Care Clinics
• Assists in determining the physical and mental health status, needs, and preferences of culturally, ethnically, and socially diverse patients and their families based on interpretation of health-related data
• Performs focus assessments
• *Data collection and information, recognizes changes in conditions, and documents all interventions completed during patient visits
• Reports to the RN or another appropriate clinical supervisor to assist, review, and develop goals and plan of action
• *Administers and documents immunizations per protocol/VATVCBHCS policies
• *Clinical reminder completion
• *Documents transfers in CPRS, and warm handoff reports given to receiving facility
• *Closes encounters
• *Completes pre-appointment telephone calls for scheduled patients
• *Review and assist Team to address/complete pending alerts communicated on message manager throughout the day to assist the team to facilitate care and address needs of the caller
• *As assigned, assures twice daily documentation of temperature for medication refrigerator
• *As assigned, daily check of clinic AED and other required daily monitoring logs
• *Check expiration dates of meds and supplies
• *Delegated procedures and treatments (i.e., EKG, dressing change)
• *Assists with minor procedures, ensuring patient comfort and privacy
• *Based on the patient's goals, provides and/or reinforces patient and family health education.*Provides back up to PACT clinical support as need, if applicable
• * Is a role model in the provision of excellent customer service
• *Provides patients with personalized, proactive, and patient-driven health care through such activities as assisting in developing a personal health plan, listening to the patient, and addressing their needs/goals, engaging in group appointments, encouraging, and supporting and training for Telehealth modalities, maintains an awareness of access with an awareness of third next available appointments and creating an environment that benefits the veteran
• *Engages in education activities that connect, inform, resonate, and motivate the patient, their families and support networks
• *Delivers patient centered care to all patients and employs population health management principles to optimize health and wellbeing for the patient through such activities as use of evidenced-based practice recommendations, completing clinical reminders, tracking high risk behaviors and assisting the patient to develop coping mechanisms, assisting the patient to identify health care goals and actions to take to meet those goals and evaluating progress
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday (8:00am to 4:30pm) 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) 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: Ad-hoc-(Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 52204-F,52205-F,52206-F,52207-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Note: This is a Bargaining Unit Position.