Emergency Department Vocational Nurse

Summary

The Emergency Department Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides high-quality - evidence-based care for a culturally diverse Veteran population with acute and/or chronically ill in the outpatient care setting. They must be able to promote a safe environment for all patients including those with altered sensorium due to medication or an acute or chronic illness.

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
• Must be a graduate of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d)
• Must have a full - current - active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States or 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: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• LVN/LPN 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-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 a LVN/LPN
• 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-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 NAs/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-6: Completion of at least 1 year of 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
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - 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
• 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. Physical Requirements: Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs)
• Pushing
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand over hand
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 6 hours)
• Standing (up to 6 hours)
• Kneeling (Intermittent);Repeated bending (up to 6 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional and Mental Stability.**If 10 hours shifts hours of moving - bending - standing - walking will be 10 hours.

Duties

• Under the direction of the Registered Nurse or Nurse Manager - she/he is responsible for providing direct and/or indirect patient care to an assigned group of patients
• This care takes into consideration all physical - psychosocial - spiritual and cultural needs of this specific Veteran population
• The LVN recognizes the need for and seeks guidance when necessary to ensure quality patient care
• The LVN delivers safe and timely care based on evidence-based practices and a true caring for the Veteran population and their significant others
• LVNs are to document using appropriate forms - follow protocols - SOP's and guidelines - adhere to policies and evaluate resources for each shift
• The Emergency Department LVN effectively implements patient activities towards health promotion and disease prevention - assisting the Veteran in attainment of optimal levels of function through direct care and non-face-to-face communication
• Documents in a timely - accurate - and concise manner
• Able to demonstrate competency in performing an EKG
• Able to recognize patients in distress needing immediate intervention
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care relative to the patients served in the Emergency Department
• Demonstrates skill in verbal and written communication and Identifies common changes in condition - both physical and emotional - which have relevance to health status
• Reports changes in a timely manner
• initiates appropriate action with guidance
• Collects data and documents findings on new admissions and at regular intervals throughout the patient's care period
• Performs technical skills specific to assigned are under the supervision of an RN and in accordance with Department of Nursing Service Policy - California LVN Scope of Practice guidelines - and the LVN Competency-based checklists
• Utilizes proper body mechanics - equipment and supplies in order to prevent injury and avoid inappropriate use
• Records all significant observations and actions on appropriate forms in accordance with documentation guidelines
• Prepares - administers and documents medications with alertness to actions - side effects - adverse reactions and contraindication following Medical Center policies/procedures
• Adheres to ethical principles and standards while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries when delivering care
• Determines patient/family concerns - avoids assumptions - and provides clear explanation
• Reinforces patient teaching of treatments/procedures before and during the procedure by reinforcing information supplied by the nurse or physician
• Complies with VHA mandated training requirements and maintains current status
• Maintains confidentiality
• Performs nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities according to Medical Center policy/procedures
• Gather information from patients - such as a chief complaint - to document and communicate information to the Registered Nurse
• Orders labs and diagnostic tests appropriate for the LVN scope of practice following policy/SOP
• Complete 12 Lead EKG Complete revitalization of patients Preferred Experience: 2 years Emergency Room experience preferred
• Work Schedule:6:30pm- 7:00am
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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