Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a key member of the multidisciplinary health care team - providing consistent and recurring care to both long- and short-stay residents. The LPN prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments in accordance with established policies and procedures. Provide complete personal and hygienic care - assist with food and fluid intake - accurately record intake and output - vital signs - medications - treatments - and other patient care activities.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• Licensure - Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia
• 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-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 (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-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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 - 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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 and Certifications: 1 year LTC 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 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required
• However - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

• Customer service and communication skills are essential
• The LPN adheres to computerized patient record system policies and procedures - ensuring accurate data entry of vital signs and other patient information
• They observe for physical and emotional changes in a patient's condition related to medications or treatments - promptly document any noted changes - and report deviations from normal to the RN or physician
• The LPN also serves as a preceptor - helping orient - educate - and train less experienced LPNs - nurse assistants - and health care technicians in support duties related to more complex or specialized tests and procedures
• They demonstrate adaptability to changing medical center needs and readily adjust to revised work assignments - recognizing that flexibility is essential in providing high-quality patient care
• Additional LPN responsibilities include but are not limited to: The Licensed Practical Nurse successfully performs activities appropriate to his/her grade as outlined in the Licensed Practical Qualification Standard
• This Standard identifies the educational - experiential and competency requirements for the LPN at each grade
• Be technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• Use knowledge to appropriately carry out assigned resident-center care - utilizing the Hatch Model of Culture Transformation in providing a homelike atmosphere
• Use knowledge to appropriately carry out assigned resident care with only a general review by the RN for the appropriateness and conformity of the care with established policies and Procedures
• Make observations of subtle changes in the patient's/resident's condition (i.e
• behavior shifts - mood changes - skin coloring - appetite - etc.)
• Document care given - observations - and responses to care on the appropriate tools or forms
• Assure receipt of adequate nutritional intake either through observation of patient/resident - feeding the patient/resident - or properly positioning and checking placement of feeding tube
• Recognize the patient's/resident's autonomy and promote independence by means of respect - limit setting - and individualized treatment
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - within - intramuscular - and or intravenous) and perform treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observe 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 appropriate team member
• Monitor intake and output - according to established policy and procedures
• Integrate and apply aspects of the Long Term Care Accrediting Agencies and National Patient Safety Goals as applicable to their area of practice
• Integrate and apply pertinent aspects of the performance improvement program into his/her professional practice
• Maintain confidentiality of written - electronic - and verbal patient/employee information
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30pm to 8am
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Unauthorized
• 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
• 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 #: 512-26026 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized