Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse

Summary

The Primary Care Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the nursing and treatment teams as assigned. The Primary Care LPN provides complex age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with physical, mental, behavioral, or psychosocial needs, according to assignment and training in the outpatient clinic setting.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients according to nursing standards and CAVHS policy and procedure. This includes, but is not limited to: Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g., blood, sputum, urine, stool. Providing bowel/bladder training, applying external urinary devices, performing bladder catheterization. Setting up and initiating oxygen therapy, including nebulization treatments. Providing wound care and reporting any changes and/or progress to the RN and provider. Providing for lifting, moving, transferring, and/or transporting patients without any personal limitations or physical restrictions. Using patient lifting devices and electronic scales without any personal limitations or physical restrictions. Applying abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, ace bandages as ordered. Implements established care plans. Evaluates patient's progress based on observed data. Recommends modification to the care and/or treatment plan as needed. Recognizes progress or subtle changes in the patient's behavior and/or physical condition, initiates appropriate action, reports actions to the RN and provider and documents in the medical record. Recognizes and initiates emergency measures consistent with training. Assist appropriately and applies concepts for the prevention and management of disruptive while providing for physical and safety needs. Calls Code Blue appropriately and initiates basic life support as needed. Uses identified learning needs to provide patient teaching and documents teaching in the medical record. The LPN is able to identify/apply age specific considerations, e.g., the geriatric population's proneness to visual or hearing impairment. Teaching may include diabetic self-care, activities of daily living, coughing, deep breathing, suctioning and tracheostomy care, self-administration of medication and additional procedures as directed by the registered nurse and provider. Assumes an educational role with co-workers.P Performs such diagnostic procedures such as obtaining vital signs, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, 1&0, heights, weights, fingerstick blood sugars, and EKGs. Recognizes deviations from normal. Documents and reports results to the registered nurse and/or physician. Administers oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications. Administers immunizations independently upon completion of competency. Observes, reports, and documents patient's response to medication including adverse reactions and possible medication errors. Observes, documents, and reports unpredictable behavior that may lead to violence, potential for injury related to fall risk. Caring for, maintaining, and ordering supplies and equipment, including reporting equipment malfunctions. Provides for a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment including work area. Follows all safety policies and procedures including using good body mechanics and wearing personal protective equipment as needed. Uses computer to meet current CPRS mandates, e-mail, leave requests, and other computer initiatives. Participation in interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning with team members. Assumes initiative and responsibility for completing recurring assignments and, when necessary, assists co-workers in completion of their assignments. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the service) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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) 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…

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. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. 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 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 Individuals 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. 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 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 - Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-04 if they meet any of the following criteria in addition to the basic 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. LPNs at the GS-04 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-03 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-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 commo…

Education

GS-06: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities continued: 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. Preferred Experience: 1-2 years Primary Care clinic experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.