Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) performs basic age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients or outpatients with physical, mental, behavioral, or psychosocial needs, according to assignment and training. The LPN is accountable for adhering to established policies, procedures, standards of care and standards of practice, and for maintaining competencies consistent with role and responsibilities.

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Duties

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Duties but not limited to:

The Licensed Practical Nurse possesses knowledge and skills to perform practical nurse assessment, procedures, practices, and techniques at a level determined by the Qualification Standards and demonstrated competency.

The LPN works independently, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, requiring minimal guidance and direction. Completed work needs only a general review by a Registered Nurse for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity to policy and accepted nursing standards. He/she documents in the medical record and reports observations and findings to the Registered Nurse and if appropriate, to the physician. This position is located within Nursing Services throughout all campuses of the New York Harbor VAMC.

The Licensed Practical Nurse possesses knowledge and skills to perform as a practical nurse assessment, procedures, practices, and techniques at a level determined by the Qualification Standards and demonstrated competency.

The Licensed Practical Nurse possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to:

• Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers from variable patient populations.
• Maintain confidentially of written, electronic, and verbal patient/employee information.
• Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and use of equipment.
• Assure that patient safety is paramount in all aspects of patient care.
• Utilize nursing research and literature in practice.
• Integrate and apply aspects of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations National Patient Safety Goals as applicable to their area of practice.

Patient Care Activities, as appropriate to assignment, (Includes, but not limited to):

• Provides for the patient's privacy.
• Assists with data collection for outpatients and new admissions. Completes specific sections of the Nursing Admission Record. Observes, reports and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition. Participates in patient care conferences, exchanging information about patient's needs and condition. Provides input into the Nursing Care Plan and/or the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
• Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients according to nursing standards and Medical Center policy and procedure.

The includes, but is not limited to:

• Bathing, showering, oral care, shaving, toe/fingernail care, fingernail clipping, feeding, turning, positioning, and ambulating, while considering age specific needs, e.g. the geriatric patients' need for lubrication.
• Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g. sputum, emesis, urine, stool.
• Performing enterostomal care, perineal care, administering enemas and colostomy irrigations, while considering age specific needs, e.g. the geriatric patients' need for a bedpan.
• Providing bowel/bladder training, applying external urinary devices, performing bladder catheterization.
• Providing oral, nasopharyngeal and tracheal suctioning, tracheostomy care, administering oxygen.
• Providing physical/emotional care to respirator dependent patients.
• Administering enteral feedings.
• Providing wound care and reporting any changes and/or progress to the RN.
• Performing peritoneal dialysis.
• Applying abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, ace bandages and alternating pressure boots.
• Providing for lifting, moving, transferring, and/or transporting patients.
• Using patient lifting devices, pressure relief mattresses, hyper/hypothermia blankets, electronic scales, feeding pumps. Applying protective/supporting devices, restraints.
• Providing post-mortem care.

• Implements established care plan. Reporting and documents progress or changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition to the RN and in the medical record.
• Performs check of emergency equipment.
• Recognizes and initiates emergency measures consistency with training. Calls Crises Intervention team or Code 2000, according to campus, and assists with the application of leather restraints and/or seclusion, while providing for physical and safety needs.
• Calls Cardiac Arrest Team or Code 4000, depending on campus, performs CPR.
• Follows appropriate procedure for Fire Drills.
• Follows appropriate policies and/or procedures for other emergencies, e.g. disaster, bomb threat.
• Provides care for pre-operative and post-operative patients, including those having special procedures and treatments.
• Assures the presence of a signed informed consent.
• Performs duties as assigned.

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday (7:30am - 4:00pm)

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 14166F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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.
• 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).

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 (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:

• (a)Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
• (b) 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.
• (c) 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.
• (d) 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.
• (e) 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.
• (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

GS-6:

• (a) 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.
• (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• (c) 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.
• (d) 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.
• (e) 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.
• (f) 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.
• (g) 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.
• (h) 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.
• (i) 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.
• (j) 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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 6.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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