Licensed Practical Nurse

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 15 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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.

• 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 (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission] - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• [Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• 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
• 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements - 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 Grade Level Requirements: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04 Grade Level Requirements: 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 Grade Level Requirements: Completion of 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/L VNs 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 with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel 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 Grade Level Requirements: 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/L VN
• 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 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/L VN 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
• Qualifications continue under Education

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is located at the William S
• Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison - WI
• The Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse is accountable to the Nurse Manager/Supervisor - or Designee - Service Chief - or Designee
• The LPN/LVN provides direct patient care activities under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN)
• The incumbent practices good customer service in all work activities
• Duties and responsibilities of this position include - but are not limited to the following: Patient Care: Provides patient care and assistance for complex - specialized patients including such measures as personal hygiene - positioning - elimination - and socialization in the completion of all direct patient care in the clinic setting
• Initiates and collects patient data including but not limited to MC reminders - vital signs - weights - oximetry - blood glucose and the collection of specimens
• Initiates and performs specialized nonstandard and complex procedures including ear lavage - urinary bladder scanning - oxygen therapy - wound care - EKG - and spirometry
• Initiate's procedure preparation - adapting them to the patient's physical and emotional needs before - during and after procedures - observing and managing therapeutic or possible complications resulting from the procedure
• Communication: Works effectively with others and communicates in an professional - appropriate - tactful - and courteous manner
• Demonstrates knowledge and application of interpersonal skills as a responsible member of the nursing and health care team
• Explains to the patient and family treatment measures - tests and procedure preparations - proper administration of medications - and provides opportunity for patient to ask questions
• Provides patients with encouragement needed to comply with treatment plan and reassurance to assist in coping with illness
• Progression of Practice: Exhibits willingness to accept additional responsibilities
• Exhibits knowledge and judgment in recognizing changes in the patient's condition and initiates corrective interventions
• Assists with rehabilitative aspects of patient care
• Reinforcement of patient teaching
• Actively contributes to the development and updating of patient CPRS records and promotes patient participation utilizing Whole Health principles in his treatment plan
• Clinic Responsibilities: Daily assignment requires floating throughout clinics as assignment by Nurse Manager or designee
• Offers assistance to co-workers when needed and when own assignment has been completed
• Initiates unit maintenance duties - and keeps a safe - clean area
• Practices proper body mechanics - acting to prevent injury to self and others
• Operates all specialized equipment in a safe manner - identifies and reports any potential safety hazards
• Removes unsafe equipment from use
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00am-4:30pm Telework: This position is not eligible for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 06896F - 06897F - 06898F - 06899F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact View email address on click.appcast.io - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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)