Licensed Vocational Nurse - Specialty

Summary The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) performs assigned duties in a matter that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LVN is a direct-care provider who has the technical proficiency and excellent observation skills necessary for initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in delivering comprehensive practical nursing care to variable patient populations. 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 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: (1) Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is 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 (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986 and for their future personnel actions under this authority The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school 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 Licensed Vocational Nurse: None beyond the basic requirements GS-4 Licensed Vocational Nurse: Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration 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 GS-5 Licensed Vocational Nurse: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-04 LPN/LVN: 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 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 Licensed Vocational Nurse: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-05 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the 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 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 the 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 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 Preferred Experience: Current Basic Life Support provider card Ambulatory care clinic experience Specialty clinic experience preferred 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The LVN demonstrates excellent ability to balance many competing demands and sets priorities effectively - while supporting multiple providers Has knowledge and ability to appropriately carry-out assigned patient care based on patients' conditions Demonstrates competency in dealing with a high volume of patients with chronic disease (e.g. - hypertension - diabetes - and cardiac and pulmonary disease) - as well as acute episodes of illness Completed work requires a general review by Registered Nurse for appropriateness and conformity with established policies and procedures Duties include but are not limited to the following: Direct Patient Care: On an ongoing basis - provides quality care to patients with multi-system problems - including seriously- and chronically-ill patients Has knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures Consistently distinguishes - evaluates - and reports subtle changes in patient status - and initiates appropriate action Demonstrates sound judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines and ability to plan patient care and set priorities Observes - identifies - and responds to patients' needs for care - including medication and equipment-assisted care - and recognizes deviations from normal Observes - identifies - and responds to patient/family education needs - and teaches in accordance with current clinical practice standards Observes - identifies - and responds to patient/family education needs - and teach in accordance with current clinical practice standards Has 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 Indirect Patient Care: Accurately recognizes - reports - and records relevant patient information Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills Adheres to principles of infection control Assists in promoting safe work habits and is a role model for other staff in fostering safety principles and practices Serves as preceptor in orienting - teaching - and training less experienced LVNs and NAs/HTs Contributes to smooth operation of clinic by consistently ensuring that support and administrative tasks are carried out Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm or 7:30am-4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade) 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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 07545F-07548F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs