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 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 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 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 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: 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 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 - procedure - and techniques GS-5. 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 regimens 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-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 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 patient's condition 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 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'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 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-5 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: FUNCTIONS/SCOPE OF DUTIES: This position is in the Primary Care Service located at the various associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) within the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS) The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 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 CBOCs and Specialty Clinics for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needs Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs a proper and successful phlebotomy procedure and deals with complications that may arise Uses a variety of phlebotomy techniques to ensure that the proper collection of specimen samples meets laboratory requirements Collects - labels - prepares and stores lab samples according to laboratory specifications Labels sterile containers for other samples - such as urine - and instruct patients on proper collection procedures Assembles - maintains - and disposes of medical instruments such as needles - test tubes - and blood vials Maintains compliance with established processes: turn-around time expectations - collecting and handling specimens - proper documentation of sample collection Prepares lab requisitions in computer by acquiring all information required Properly prepares and packages all specimens for courier transport in a timely manner and ensures all lab work is complete and error free Accommodates patient and laboratory needs by professionally responding to requests for flexibility in duties - schedules - and staffing Keeps work areas and equipment clean and sanitary Compliant with PPE guidelines Complies with the Birmingham VA Health Care System policies - protocols and procedures Good time management skills and ability to work with minimal on-site supervision Ability to work in fast paced environment and be detail-oriented Commitment to provide quality work with no errors Demonstrates excellent customer service and patient care Ability to work well with others and problem solve Computer skills - including Microsoft Word - MS Teams - and Excel Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills Phone calls are acted upon promptly and handled in a professional manner per the customer service protocol Assists in daily workload outside of the lab as needed Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:30am - 4:30pm Work schedule is subject to change based on agency needs Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 off 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 401(k) 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: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service - increase worker productivity - and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies This position may be authorized for telework on an Ad-hoc basis Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 60696F/60974F/View phone number on click.appcast.io Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs