Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (Laboratory)

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), 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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN.

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. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Preferred Experience

PACT, Primary Care, Lab & Phlebotomy Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.GS-07: The GS-07 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment.

Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN. The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) must be met: 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. Skill, creativity, and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels.

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. Ability to support 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-07 level.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

The primary purpose of the Patient Aligned Care Team (Laboratory) Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) GS-7 is to perform more complex nursing assignments within their practice setting, primarily in the Phlebotomy Laboratory at the Salisbury VA Health Care System. The Patient Aligned Care Team (Laboratory) LPN/LVN GS-7 possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and advanced skills in specialized procedures and practices, including phlebotomy and specimen management.

The work is of considerable difficulty and is performed under general supervision, with the expectation that the Patient Aligned Care Team (Laboratory) LPN/LVN will exercise independent technical judgment within their scope of practice. Possesses advanced knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care activities, such as venipuncture, capillary blood draws, specimen collection and processing, and complex specimen management.

Integrates Veteran care data to actively contribute to the development and implementation of the Veteran's overall health plan, ensuring care is evidence-based and in alignment with best practices. Is knowledgeable of program regulations and consistently performs duties within the objectives of the nursing program and in accordance with Medical Center policies, standards, and procedures.

Promotes and demonstrates the application of nursing concepts, including infection control, safety, and quality improvement, within the Phlebotomy Lab and clinic setting. Collaborates closely with Registered Nurses (RNs) and Health Care Providers (HCPs) to ensure comprehensive, coordinated, and Veteran-centered care. Demonstrates the ability to carry out assignments independently, does not require direct or readily available supervision, and uses sound clinical judgment in the performance of duties.

• Communicates effectively with Veterans, families, caregivers, interdisciplinary team members, and other support staff to ensure seamless delivery of services and optimal patient outcomes.
• Provides patient education related to collection procedures, specimen requirements, and care instructions as appropriate.
• Maintains complete, accurate, and timely documentation of all care activities in the electronic health record, including any incidents or variances.

Assists with inventory control and supply management, ensuring the phlebotomy area is adequately stocked and equipment is maintained. Fosters a clean, safe, and organized environment in compliance with infection control and safety standards. Participates in ongoing professional development, training, and quality improvement initiatives to maintain and enhance skills and contribute to team performance. Performs other related duties as listed in functional statement.

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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)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 VAInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)