Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is located in the Cardiology section of Nursing Service at the Cincinnati - OH VA Medical Center. 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 English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(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 to this are listed under the education section 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 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: 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 GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or Graduation from an approved school 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 GS-05 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) The following KSAs are required at the GS-5 grade level for the LPN 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-06 Experience: 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 AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) The following KSAs are required at the GS-6 grade level for the LPN 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 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 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 Preferred Experience: Clinic experience preferred in Cardiology Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Duties The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati - OH and Fort Thomas - KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH - Northern Kentucky - and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue - KY Florence - KY Lawrenceburg - IN Hamilton - OH Clermont County - OH - and Georgetown - OH The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) will 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 Performs under guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee Duties Include but not limited to: Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team assisting with the delivery of care to patients 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 Performs within this functional statement under frequent guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill Responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice LPNs 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 As an active member of the multidisciplinary care team this nurse understands the importance of reporting and recording - in the patient's computerized medical record - the care provided - pertinent interaction(s) and communication(s) with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel Fosters/supports a learning environment by participating in the orientation of new employees - providing feedback as appropriate and seeking opportunities for self-improvement Follows specific guidelines covering all aspects of work assignments - including policies - standard operating procedures - and plans of care Serves as an advocate for patients - ensuring they receive the highest level of care and support Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients - visitors - volunteers - and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner Provides the customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served - and which is appropriate to the cognitive emotional - and chronological maturation of the patient Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age specific needs and to provide care needed as described in the services' policies and procedures Takes into consideration age-related differences of the various Veteran populations with this institution The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge of the changes associated with aging and possess the ability to provide care/support based upon age related factors Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 93598A - 93599A - 93600A - 93601A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional #J-18808-Ljbffr Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs