This Licensed Practical Nurse position is located within the Primary Care Service at the VA Providence Healthcare System. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. 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. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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/accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-3 Grade Level: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Grade Level: Experience. Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN; OR, Education. Graduated from an approved school of at least 24 months duration; OR, Combination. Graduated from an approved school and one year experience that involves 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. GS-5 Grade Level: Experience. One year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-4) In addition to the above one year experience for the GS-5 grade level, applicants must also demonstrate the below Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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/LVNs 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-6 Grade Level: Experience. At least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, AND, In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. 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 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. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Experience within Primary Care Service or Primary Care office equivalent; Assisting with triage as appropriate; Performing treatment and carries out orders as prescribed or written by the provider as they relate to the practice of nursing; Applying sterile and non-sterile dressings, collecting specimen, performing ear irrigation, assisting with oxygen, catheterizations; Assisting with exams and/or procedures; Completing clinical reminders; Conducting post-discharge follow-up telephone calls as directed; Tracking and administering require immunizations. REFERENCES: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be flexible and sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete Employee Health requirements. ["The Licensed Practical Nurse is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients. They recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group while considering the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patients, demonstrating competence and correctly providing appropriate care for that age group or groups. Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as an active member of the healthcare team with professional and supportive personnel; Attends meeting with the inter-disciplinary treatment team and contributes to the development and changes in the comprehensive treatment plans; Demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the knowledge of the patient's condition; Assumes the responsibility for patients, in accordance with standards and recommendations, with the Registered Nurse (RN) ultimately responsible; Identifies environmental hazards and initiates appropriate intervention; Adheres to safety regulations and infection control practices as outlined in the policy and procedure manuals; Collects data and collaborates in the assessment of the health status of a patient; Implements aspects of the plan of care as delegated; Participates in health screening, clinical reminders, telephone calls and treatments as assigned; Participates in the evaluation of patient responses to interventions; Recognizes, reports and records promptly change in physical condition and behavior of patients; Completes routine documentation of results of care and treatment according to policy, guidelines, instructions/templates utilizing the electronic record and information network; Uses proper channels to resolve ethical issues; Differentiates between emergent and non-emergent conditions. Reports promptly and accurately records critical/emergency situations; Ability to draw, centrifuge and package lab samples when indicated. Promotes a safe and therapeutic environment. Identifies potentially dangerous or emergency situations and takes appropriate action. Utilizes safety equipment and other devices/procedures appropriately; Provides input into the development of policies and procedures to support patient safety; Takes proper precautions to prevent injury to self, patients and others; Identifies and reports unsafe conditions to appropriate officials; Observes standard precautions; Serves as an advocate for the patient by communicating and collaborating with other health service personnel as delegated; Is sensitive to the individual patient's needs and responds so that a therapeutic relationship is established; Demonstrates common courtesy to patients, family members, visitors and staff. Responds to requests for assistance promptly and in a professional manner; Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time, day shift (Tour of Duty will be determined based on the need of the facility.) Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 650-F05311 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment."]

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