Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary

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.

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
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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: 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
• OR Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• OR Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• Licensure - Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - 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 - 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-04 - Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 - 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 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
• 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 - 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/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 a 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
• 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.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Duties include - but are not limited to: 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 MC reminders - vital signs - weights - oximetry - accuchecks - SLUMs - and the collection of specimens
• Initiates and performs specialized nonstandard and complex procedures including urinary bladder scanning - oxygen therapy - nebulizer treatments - ostomy care - EKG - and spirometry
• Initiates 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
• Knowledgeably initiates and performs nursing measures to prevent complications by recognizing deviations and/or changes in patient conditions
• Knowledgeably recognizes and responds/initiates emergency measures
• Responds promptly to emergency situations in the clinic
• Provides safe administration of medications in accordance with Medical Center's and Nursing Service policy and monitors side effects
• Continues to keep updated on new medications
• Prioritizes effectively and manages time productively in the clinical setting
• Knowledgeably follows and utilizes the nurse protocols entering consults and orders when applicable
• Assists with clinic planning including but not limited to pre-visit phone calls and virtual appointments
• Works effectively with others and communicates in an appropriate - professional - 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 - and proper administration of medications
• Provides patients with encouragement needed to comply with treatment plan and reassurance to assist in coping with illness
• Documents in the patient's medical record observations of patient's physical and emotional status as well as responses to procedures performed and treatments rendered
• Documents all data collected and nursing care provided
• Reports all relevant patient information to clinic RN or provider
• Demonstrates knowledge and application of the computer system and applicable technology (such as Electronic Medical Record - Wisconsin Immunization Record {WIR) VISTA)
• Communicates accurate - concise - and complete information to the providers in an independent and timely manner
• Utilizes all communication methods as available with the PACT model on the assigned team (such as Instant Messaging - paging - phone - and VA Video Connect {VVC))
• Actively participates in PACT team huddles - meetings and PACT functions when assigned to a PACT team
• Responds to patient telephone calls in phone message manager - MyHealtheVet and CPRS alerts in a timely manner to address patient care needs - including same ­day access requests
• 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
• Assists with clinic orientation of new employees - participates on Committee(s) - and demonstrates constructive problem-solving skills
• Assist with daily assignments that require 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
• Initiates protective and safety measures - including recognition of patients exhibiting signs of confusion - sedation - and/or behaviors which are potentially dangerous to self and others
• Prepares instruments as needed to maintain readiness for patient care
• Orders supplies and maintains par levels for clinic flow efficiency
• Additional clinic duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8:15am - 4:45pm
• Location: Madison West Clinic Telework/Virtual/Remote: This position is NOT eligible
• 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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