Career Center

Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse 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 outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

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:

• 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 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
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• 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 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
• 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
• Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: 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: 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
• Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: 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
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf The Licensed Practical Nurse provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients in the Mental Health (MH) services
• They provide basic age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients or outpatients with physical - mental - behavioral - or psychosocial needs - according assignment and training
• The Licensed Practical Nurse interacts - collaborates - and communicates effectively with the veteran - families - caregivers - professionals - and other supportive staff both internal and external
• He/She initiates appropriate actions based on his/her observations of the patient's condition
• He/she requires a minimum of supervision and performs the functions listed below consistently with skill and effectiveness
• Duties are performed under the general supervision of a RN or Healthcare Provider (HCP)
• Individuals at this grade are expected to have broad working knowledge of practice nursing procedures - however - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer high-level review
• The LPN works with the RN charge nurse
• Duties include but are not limited too: Performs advanced nursing skills and assist providers with complex procedures and diagnostic exams within the scope of licensure
• Recognizes life threatening conditions and initiates and/or assists with CPR or other appropriate interventions including prompt notification of an RN or MD/DO to provide appropriate direction and intervention
• Must maintain a current Basic Life Support Certification
• Knowledge of how to apply Prevention and Management of Disruptive behavior techniques to resolve issues before they reach escalation
• Responsible for the daily management of patient care and assignments by assisting the patient care team with preventative care and/or chronic disease management by assisting in obtaining vital signs - offering patient education - medication administration - treatments provided as ordered - and thorough documentation of patient care provided per policy
• Other assignments include patient education - communication of patient concerns to the interdisciplinary team and positive interactions with family members
• Is an active participant in planning - implementation - and evaluation of care
• Demonstrates - in interactions - the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with both internal and external customers
• Participates in staff competency and creation
• Completes daily quality control checks and equipment testing - restocks supplies and medications as needed
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards or supply deficiencies and reports to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Participates in performance/ quality improvement activities with the goal of improving patient care outcomes
• Maintains knowledge and skill for performing support duties during complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs - Nursing Assistants (NA's) - Health Technicians (HT's) and provides support for more complex - specialized procedures
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge/skills and shares knowledge with peers to advance nursing practice
• Preferred Experience: Mental Health Work Schedule: 3:30pm-12:00am (Midnight) Rotating work days - weekends and holidays 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized