Career Center

Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - position customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LVN performs within this functional statement under close supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee.

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
• Exceptions include: (1) 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
• (2) 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
• The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
• (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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
• An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 of this part
• 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
• 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
• 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.(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
• GS-6: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent.(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.(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 Preferred Experience: - Minimum 2/3 years of current clinical experience in acute care setting medical/surgical nursing
• - Minimum 2/3 years current ENT specialty experience in inpatient and/or outpatient clinic experience preferred
• - Consults - Message Manger
• Secure messing and CPRS Documentation experience
• - Current BLS certification References: VA Handbook 5005/3 dated April 10 - 2003The full performance level of this vacancy is 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06.

Duties

• This vacancy is located at the North Central Federal VA Clinic
• Assigned tasks are performed in accordance with established policies - procedures - and techniques
• Guidelines are available in the form of procedures manuals that cover the nursing care provided
• Reference to written guidelines is intermittently necessary
• Other guidelines include the change of tour report - client's plan of care and the client's medical record
• The LVN functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded LVNs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care - or other patients who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• All duties performed are unit specific and will be completed under general supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee
• The vocational nurse uses a systematic problem-solving process in the care of multiple patients with predictable health care needs to provide individualized - goal directed nursing care
• The LVN contributes to the plan of care by collaborating with interdisciplinary team members and with the veterans' family
• The LVN at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
• Uses clinical reasoning and established evidence-based policies as the basis for decision-making in nursing practice
• Assist in determining the physical and mental health status - needs - and preferences of culturally - ethnically - and socially diverse veterans and their families based on interpretation of health-related data
• Report data to assist in the identification of problems and formulation of goal/outcomes and patient-centered plans of care in collaboration with veterans - their families - and the interdisciplinary health care team
• Provide safe - compassionate - basic nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs through a supervised - directed scope of practice Implement aspects of the plan of care within legal - ethical - and regulatory parameters and in consideration of patient factors
• Identify and report alterations in patient responses to therapeutic interventions in comparison to expected outcomes
• Implement teaching plans for patients and their families with common health problems and well-defined health learning needs
• Assist in the coordination of human - information - and materiel resources in providing care for assigned patients and their families
• Women's health protocols Follow PC/PACT policies and Procedures
• Demonstrate knowledge of the all nursing - federal - state - and local government and accreditation organization safety requirements and standards
• Implement measures to promote quality and a safe environment for patients - self - and others
• Assist in the formulation of goals and outcomes to reduce patient risks
• Obtain instruction - supervision - or training as needed when implementing nursing procedures or practices
• Accept and make assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organizational policy
• Communicate and collaborate with patients - their families - and the interdisciplinary health care team to assist in the planning - delivery - and coordination of patient-centered care to assigned patients
• Participate as an advocate in activities that focus on improving the health care of patients and their families
• Participate in the identification of patient needs for referral to resources that facilitate continuity of care and ensure confidentiality
• Communicate and collaborate in a timely manner with members of the interdisciplinary health care team to promote and maintain optimal health status of patients and their families
• Communicate patient data using technology to support decision-making to improve patient care
• Assign nursing care to LVNs or unlicensed personnel based upon an analysis of patient or unit need
• Supervise nursing care provided by others for whom the nurse is responsible
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:00am - 4:30pm (Hours/ Locations may change based on patient needs - including weekends) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Title/Functional Statement #:Licensed Vocational Nurse ( Perioperative Specialty Clinic Fort Worth) Float/PD52827F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required