Licensed Practical Nurse (Community Living Center)

Summary This position is for a Licensed Practical Nurse for GEC CLC 8B located at our Alvin C York VAMC in Murfreesboro Tennessee. The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred to and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. 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: 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. 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, procedures, and techniques. GS-5. Completion of at least one 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, professionals, 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 response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient 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-6. 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 or physician 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/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 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. 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: To perform in a fully successful manner – the individual must have the physical ability to perform job‑related duties which require lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. Utilizes Safe Patient handling equipment. The incumbent will be exposed to fluoroscopy and must be able to wear lead protective equipment for extended periods of time. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy. There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids. Duties The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN) works under the direction of the Nurse Manager – with minimal supervision. The LPN demonstrates self‑direction and critical thinking skills in carrying out simple to the most complex practical nursing assignments for variable Veteran populations. The LPN demonstrates technical proficiency in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties. He or She reviews care in the community, consults in accordance with VHA guidance to ensure that the services requested and provided are appropriate, timely and cost effective. LPNs are responsible for completing clinical and administrative records and processing less clinically complex aspects of the program – under the general review of an RN – for appropriateness and conformity to licensure, policies and procedures. LPNs oversee the upload and/or faxing of clinical documents by Advanced Medical Support Assistants (AMSA5) to the Community Care Network Contractor portal. The LPN reviews community provider medical records and the CCN portal then uploads documentation into CPRS. The LPN serves as a care coordination liaison through frequent contacts via telephone or in person with VA providers – Veterans and their family/significant others – community providers (Vendors) and Third‑party administrator – to ensure authorized services are rendered and performed. LPNs also assist with the coordination of Community post‑discharge needs – including prosthetics, home health, etc – to ensure the Veteran is discharged from the community care facility with the appropriate medical supplies/equipment. Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full time – Sunday through Saturday, rotating weekends and holidays (weekends are required). Pay Schedule: VA25 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 offered 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: No. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr