Summary

This position is aligned under the Nursing - and Ambulatory Care service assigned to the The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center. The Licensed Practical Nurse - in the Primary Care area is a graduate of a school of practical nursing approved by the state accrediting agency and/or the National League of Nursing at the time the program was completed. He/she has a current licensure in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or District of Columbia.

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 accredited by the National League for Nursing (Accrediting Commission - NLNAC)at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Exception: 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/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment
• (Transcripts required) License: 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
• (Copy of your license is required with your application) 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)
• Grade Requirements: GS-03 None beyond the basic requirements
• LPNs 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-04 Employees may be appointed to GS-04 if they meet any of the criteria below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• AND - Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition - the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 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
• GS-06 Experience: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05 LPN/LVN
• AND - Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition - the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 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) 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 LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• Preferred Experience: At least one year of Primary Care 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-06.

Duties

• Demonstrates Patient Centered Care (PCC) through the use of effective communication with patients - families - visitors - and members of the interdisciplinary team - including the patient in mutual goal setting - and providing patient advocacy when appropriate
• Major Duties Include: Conducts a variety of clinics effectively including - but not limited to - general medicine - optometry - women wellness - neurology - etc
• Utilizes appropriate organization and priority setting to maintain quality care in clinics with increasing numbers of patients scheduled during a defined time frame
• Prepares and assists with various examinations including general exams - gynecological exams - and minor surgical procedures
• Maintains aseptic techniques
• Provides all basic nursing care for a variety of patients in the Primary Care setting
• Demonstrates competency in a number of complicated skills and procedures including but not limited to skin suture and staple removal - culture specimen collection - dressing changes - etc
• Participates in orientation and training of new staff members to policy and procedures and work methodologies of Primary Care
• Accurately computes medication dosages and administers medication according to facility policies and procedures
• Records and accurately documents patient information such as patient's physical condition - emotional response - and results of procedures
• Notes changes in a patient's condition which warrants notification of a provider prior to appointment times
• Recognizes and responds appropriately in emergency situations
• Initiates CPR in critical emergencies
• Provides education to patients and family members regarding preparations for diagnostic tests - x-rays - and endoscopic procedures as well as general patient information about upcoming appointments and medications
• Inventory and stocks supplies daily
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM - Full time Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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
• Salary Ranges: GS-3: $44 -110 - $57 -340 GS-4: $46 -852 - $60 -903 GS-5: $49 -767 - $64 -693 GS-6: $52 -860 - $68 -720