Practical Nurse

Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse functions as a Certified Foot Care Specialist under the supervision of an RN and/or MD but must successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervision. They must have a thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. This LPN may also serve as leader or co-leader in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients. Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse functions as a Certified Foot Care Specialist under the supervision of an RN and/or MD but must successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervision. They must have a thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. This LPN may also serve as leader or co-leader in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients. 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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) - at the time the program was completed OR Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed 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 Granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school 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) Licensure: Possess a 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 Grade Determinations: One year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-6 level that has provided you with the following: Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive 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 Exhibits skill - creativity - and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels 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.Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery 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 Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice Preferred Experience: Ambulatory Care experience and Foot Care Certified Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is 07 Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing Transferring patients and objects may be required Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Duties 1 Knowledge and skill to care for a wide range of patients from chronic to critically ill Comprehensive understanding of disease conditions - nursing principals - standards and practices to be able to coordinate the nursing care required in the outpatient clinic setting and to alter the sequence and/or care delivered to meet individual patient's needs 2 Knowledge and skill to interpret common test results and other medical data Skill in observing the patient for subtle changes and deviations from normal and in documenting and reporting this information Ability to independently adjust or modify care being delivered to meet the changing needs of the patient with notification to the RN or provider for concurrence 3 Knowledge of human behavior with advanced skill in incorporating established customer service standards into practice 4 Knowledge and skill to incorporate planned patient education into care routine and modify as necessary to meet needs of the patient 5 Knowledge of medical equipment and supplies with advanced skill to set and/or operate specialized equipment 6 Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - as well as scientific principles underlaying the nursing care and or procedures to be carried out 7 Knowledge and skill sufficient to detect subtle changes which indicate potential for cardiac or respiratory arrest Skills to promptly recognize and effectively intervene in potential urgent and emergent situations 8 Knowledge of standard precautions - medical asepsis and sterile technique with ability to correctly apply these principles and techniques to a variety of patient care situations and to assist others to do so 9 Knowledge about drug side effects - purposes - therapeutic dosage range and toxic effects with skill sufficient to administer a wide range of medications including large volume IV solutions Ability to accurately calculate IV drip rate and adjust rates of IV fluids to maintain fluid as per provider order 10 Knowledge of written and oral communication skills 1 Knowledge of VISTA and CPRS in order to function and a super user for patient record access and documentation issues 12 Knowledge and skill to perform a variety of complex procedures and treatments with skill and accuracy VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0730 - 1600 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: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr