Practical Nurse

Summary The PACT LPN carries out the most complex practical nursing care assignments - which include performing nonstandard and specialized activities sufficient to solve a range of complex nursing problems - under the general review of a Registered Nurse in the outpatient clinic. The LPN uses a systematic problem‑solving process in the care of multiple patients with predictable health care needs to provide individualized – goal‑directed nursing care. Qualifications – Basic Requirements Citizenship 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 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 An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had – any license(s) revoked – suspended – denied – restricted – limited – or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 – section B – paragraph 16 of this part Grade Determination In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A – 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 LPNs 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 in paragraphs 3b(2)(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 d 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 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 /Health Technicians 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 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 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 g 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 a Completion of at least one 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 – 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 Preferred Experience: Primary care or ambulatory experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The major duties of the nurse educator includes but is not limited to: Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned Veteran care based on the Veterans' conditions to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant Veteran information Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or Provider for appropriateness and conformity with established policies and procedures Demonstrates the ability to observe - identify - and respond to the Veteran's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care - and Veteran/family education In organizing and delivering care - the LPN recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors Reinforces instruction provided by other health care professionals Instructs patients and family members on principles of health - self-care and protocols for treatments and /or medications Utilizes teaching materials to promote self-reliance and independence including methods to prevent complications and facilitate recovery Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in Veteran's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or Provider Uses sound judgment and demonstrates the ability to recognize the need for initiating emergency measures when indicated and assist in response procedures for cardiac/pulmonary arrest - anaphylaxis - fire - disruptive behavior - bomb threat - external disaster - missing patient - and hazardous spills Promptly seeks the assistance of the RN or Provider Completes set-up and assists with complex gynecological procedures within the Women Veteran's Health Center only Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced or technically skilled staff related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures Possesses knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which include preparing the Veteran - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the Veteran's condition before - during - and following the procedure Exhibits knowledge and understanding of human behavior - individual motivation/reaction to situations - population specific factors and demonstrates the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with Veterans - family and caregivers - and internal and external customers Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 92445-A - 92446-A - 92447-A - 92448-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc.