Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• 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 vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission]
• Exceptions include: Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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
• 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
• Licensure: Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate 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: Must be proficient in spoken &
• written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• LVN's at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration)
• however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• GS-4: May be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if you meet any of the criteria below: 6 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 &
• sterile techniques &
• procedures
• OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent and meet the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical &
• or behavioral problems
• Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or NAs/HTs in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
• Provides effective education to patients &
• 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, &
• or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures
• Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered &
• 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, &
• assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognizes &
• 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: At least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements and meet the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): Technically proficient in initiating, performing &
• 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 &
• 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
• 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
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) &
• 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, &
• 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, &
• other staff
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings &
• attitudes, &
• to promote positive relationships, communication &
• 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, &
• or other internal/external customers Knowledge &
• 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 &
• 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, &
• 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 &
• skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve &
• advance nursing practice
• Preferred Experience: At least 2 yrs of experience in outpatient clinics Valid BLS and preferable valid ACLS certificate At least 1 yr of experience in inpatient or acute care areas Experience in Excel, Microsoft word applications Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Qualification Information Continued Below in the Additional Information Section

Duties

• The Cardiology Specialty Clinic LVN functions as an integral member of the Interdisciplinary Cardiology Team to provide care for patients with complex, stable and unstable cardiac problems
• The LVN utilizes current nursing standards, guidelines, and treatment modalities
• The LVN's care is not limited to cardiac-related issues, but also encompasses medical/surgical problems, both acute and chronic
• The LVN is expected to be able to function as a member of the nursing care team providing safe, competent, compassionate care in a timely manner
• The LVN's roles include, but are not limited to: Veteran Care: Provides care with minimal RN supervision to a select group of patients
• Performs and documents focused assessments (i.e., pain assessment, fall risk assessment) and reports abnormal findings to the RN team leader, or charge nurse
• Performs Accu-Check glucoscreen, takes and records vital signs and reports all significant deviations to the RN and/or health care provider immediately
• Takes appropriate action as directed Evaluates the nutritional needs for patients, including feeding assistance, and performs as necessary Actively participates in interdisciplinary team planning and patient care meetings as required
• Utilizes problem-solving process when patient problems arise
• Informs RN about data obtained pertaining to the problem
• Offers solutions to problems and offers feedback to ancillary members emphasizing ways to improve performance
• Accepts and mentors' non-RN staff and student nurses
• Independently establishes priorities and varies the sequence of nursing care based on the patient's condition and/or response to treatment to accomplish assigned tasks by the end of the tour with limited supervision
• Medical Administration Demonstrates proficiency in utilizing the Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) scanner to administer medications to a group of patients safely and efficiently
• Can serve as a preceptor for other LVNs and can instruct others in the appropriate use of BCMA for medication administration
• Can trouble shoot when issues with the BCMA scanners arise
• Is aware of the contingency policy for medication administration and documentation should the computer system be non-functional
• Veteran Safety The LVN is expected to adhere to Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals and work with the members of the nursing care team to assure veteran safety
• This performed under close supervision of the RN
• Can verbalize understanding of the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) and how VANTHCS is assuring that these goals are met
• Identifies documents and reports fall risk, confused/wandering patients to all staff
• Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards and takes appropriate action to address the problem
• Flexibility and teamwork: Expect to float to different non-invasive cardiology clinics [cardiac rehab, CHF, Fellows, General cardiology] at North Dallas Texas VA hospital as directed by the manager or her designee in her absence Expect to float to off-site non-invasive cardiology clinics in Fort Worth as directed by the manager or her designee in her absence Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm, 8:00am - 4:30pm, 8:30am - 5:00pm May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require
• Should operationally needs dictate, candidates must be willing to work within other units (including community-based outpatient clinics, for example) to assist and support continuation of the provision of care/services
• Recruitment Incentive : 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 52827-F 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 Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf