Practical Nurse (LTC)

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 performs 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 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-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 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 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 have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures 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 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 Organizing and delivering care - the 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 physical and emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting changes 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 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: Long-term care or Hospice care Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit 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 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties are included but not limited to: Explains procedures to residents - using language which they understand and displaying consideration of individual resident needs Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for resident-centered care Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet patient care needs Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful - courteous manner - making customer service the focus of all interactions Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff - the health care team - unit staff - residents - and visitors Provides emotional support to residents - and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status Establishes constructive relationship with individual residents to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills Hospice/Palliative care needs are supported as needed based on resident self-determination Fosters an environment of respect for individual resident and family/significant other rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery Serves as Veteran’s/family/significant others’ advocate Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments - including assignments for - long term - short-term rehabilitation - respite - hospice/palliative care - and psychiatric residents requiring skilled nursing care Promptly reports untoward patient incidents examples medication errors - falls - etc to Charge Nurse/Nursing Supervisor - and initiates incident report Appropriately initiates emergency response teams: Rapid Response Team (RRT) - Code Blue - Stroke-Cardiac alerts and responds to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest - choking - and disaster or fire drills Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior - motivations and reactions to situations Uses this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family and other staff members Performs oropharyngeal - tracheostomy - and tracheal suctioning - and tracheostomy and laryngectomy care Work Schedule: 7:30AM - 8:00PM (possibility of flexing to Overnight) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade) 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 14712F - 14713F - 14714F - 14715F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs