Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary This Licensed Practical Nurse position is located within the Surgical Care Service at the Providence VA Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Qualifications (Pending Completion) Applicants pending 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 – Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). 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 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 Current GS‑0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 38 U.S.C. 7405 following Public Law 98‑160 or 99‑576. OR Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Licensure – Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State–Territory–Commonwealth. May qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who meet the criteria). Grade Determinations GS‑07: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS‑6 level (or equivalent) fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS‑6 LPN/LVN. Knowledge, skills and abilities: Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient’s overall health plan. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes – physical and emotional – in patient’s condition and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in the patient’s condition requiring higher‑level intervention. At this grade level – the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing and modifying patient care treatment. Ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient’s needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications and recording administration and patient response. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to recognize more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions and promptly inform the RN or MD/DO. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance and effectively intervene to assure optimal and safe patient care delivery. At this grade level – the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment to effectively intervene when appropriate. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families in taking an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with patients and family members who may exhibit lack of self‑control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in understanding instructions. Effectively deals with such patients under very general supervision. Exhibits creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and family satisfaction through participation in committees, task forces, research projects, or developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of practice. Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices, serving as a resource person for other staff in implementing complex patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing continuing practice. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non‑medical staff and promptly reports deviations from normal practice patterns. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non‑licensed nursing and medical staff. Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are expected to exercise independent technical judgments and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of practical nursing. Physical requirements – please see VA Handbook and Directive 5019. Duties Total rewards and compensation package: competitive salary and regular salary increases. Exceptional practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures necessary for addressing complex nursing care assignments. Provides skilled ambulatory/surgical nursing care on a regular basis to selected Veterans. Possesses knowledge of program regulations and carries out objectives of the Nursing Program. Participates in pre‑planning of care, including huddles and follow‑up visits, and prioritizes and coordinates patient care and team communication. Functions as a trainer, resource, and coach. Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the Veteran's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or the medical provider of changes in the Veteran's condition requiring higher‑level intervention. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication. Applies advanced knowledge and skills in preparation, administration, and documentation of commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications. Recognizes subtle signs and symptoms of drug interactions and promptly notifies the provider. Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures, such as suture removal, complex wound care, and clinic‑specific procedures related to the Eye Clinic, and may manage individual clinics requiring these technical skills. Assists with diagnostic procedures by preparing the Veteran, setting up a sterile field and instrumentation, and monitoring the Veteran's condition. Work schedule: full time, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (compressed/flexible schedule not authorized). Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus) – not authorized. Permanent change of station (relocation assistance) – not authorized. Paid time off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service. Parental leave: after 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Child care subsidy: after 60 days of employment – eligible full‑time employees with total family income below $144 000 receive up to 25 % of eligible childcare costs, up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5 % contributions; VA Insurance includes federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care insurance (many can be carried into retirement). Telework – not authorized. Virtual – this is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F650‑F05715. Permanent change of station – not authorized. Notifications: due to a critical staffing shortage (38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement). Current and former federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF‑50. The SF‑50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (competitive or excepted). More than one SF‑50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is a LIUNA bargaining unit position and is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee to proceed with the appointment. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs