Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments within the CBOC's for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needs. 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 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) GS-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select - complex LPN/LVN positions - as established by each health care facility To be advanced - employees must meet all of the following standards - provided the standard is part of their assignment (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent - fully meeting all the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN (b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in selected - more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions Positions at this grade require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans (c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery Make astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes - both physical and emotional - in patient's condition - and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention At this grade level - the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing - and - as appropriate - modifying patient care treatment They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions - promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate - prescribed interventions Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential ensure or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene - as directed - to assure the continuation of optimal - safe and therapeutic patient care delivery At this grade level - the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate (f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control - resistant or abusive behaviors - or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision (g) Exhibits skill - creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces - research projects or in developing educational materials/media 7 Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice (h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology - effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas (i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level - the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff (j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision Individuals in these positions are - to a considerable extent - expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles - art and science of practical nursing The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision (k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice 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: Grade Determinations The Standard provides: (a) Assignments of licensed practical and vocational nurses at all grade levels - including entry grade levels - are dependent upon the validation of competence to perform clinical procedures (e.g. - IV therapy) and certification of such competencies via either educational programs or on-the-job training (b) New examples of performance at the GS-3 through GS-6 level (c) Individuals who meet minimum qualifications may be appointed at the GS-4 level if they have additional recent education and/or experience in a clinical role such as nursing assistant - health technician - or emergency medical technician (d) Licensed practical and vocational nurses in selected positions may now be appointed at or advanced to the GS-7 grade level ( e) The need for licensed practical or licensed vocational nurses at the GS-6 and GS-7 levels is directly related to the skill mix and the availability of higher level supervision within the work unit Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years LPN experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Applicant must possess the ability to do the following: heavy lifting and carrying - 45 pounds and over pulling - pushing and reaching above the shoulder walking - standing - kneeling and repeated bending. Duties VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions and duties are but not limited to Assists with the planning - implementation - and evaluation of patients care with all interdisciplinary teams Functions in complex healthcare activities with minimal supervision and guidance Demonstrates the application of the nursing process of quickly identify actual or potential - health - safety and education needs and directs cases to appropriate providers or resources Manages patient care problems and deviations using self-direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards Maintain knowledge and skills to care for a wide range of patients - including those with chronic and acute illness Check patients into the clinic - interviews patients and/or significant other - and documents data as per policy Educate patients about their general care - side effects and recovery process Collaborates with the PACT team and other interdisciplinary services in the development - implementation and evaluation of patient care This LPN is clinically and administratively responsible - Nurse Manager of Primary Care under the directions of the Chief Nurse The nurse works collaboratively with the Chief and Nurse Manager as well as staff at all levels throughout the medical center to deliver exceptional Veteran Care and services Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800-1630 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 #:94215-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr