Licensed Practical Nurse Outpatient Primary Care

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.

01Basic 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

02Education

Must be a 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Licensure: Must 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. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED) 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-3 Level: 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 Level: Must have completed six (6) 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)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 Level: Must have completed at least 1 full year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3.

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. 4.

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. 5. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. 6. 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 Level: Must have completion of at least one (1) full year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN that includes: 1.Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 2.

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 (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. 3.

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, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6.

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. 7. 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. 8.

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. 9. 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 https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for is in the range of a GS-3 to a GS-6.

The primary purpose of the Outpatient Primary Care Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to provide technically proficient, patient-centered nursing care under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse (RN) or provider, supporting safe, efficient clinical operations and contributing to high-quality care within the healthcare team.

The (LPN/LVN) demonstrates the knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out 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 an RN or provider for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.

Nursing practice must be in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of the State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia governing licensure. The Outpatient Primary Care LPN/LVN's practice in the Patient Aligned Care Team.

Major Duties: Performing routine structured/focused health screenings or the equivalent, delivering basic nursing interventions, promoting patient safety, and assisting with ensuring smooth clinic flow, while reinforcing patient education, preventive care, and continuity of services across the care experience.

Completing preventive procedures, nursing tasks, chart reviews, panel scrubbing, daily huddles, and visit preparation with routine or detailed higher-level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. Supporting efficient clinic operations by completing screening reminders, rooming patients, assisting providers with entry-level LPN/LVN tasks, managing room turnover, and conducting pre-visit calls to prepare patients for labs and procedures.

Contributing to schedule management by reviewing upcoming appointments, assisting with identifying opportunities for alternate care modalities, supporting consult tracking, and serving as backup for routine post-discharge calls. Using clinic tools and workflows, participating in PACT meetings and helping maintain continuity, coordination, and quality of care across the team.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday Day 7:45am-4:15pm Telework: Not available Functional Statement #: 10503F, 10502F, 10501F, 10500F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

03Physical Requirements

Walking, bending, stooping, and lifting in the direct care of patients; some extended periods of sitting and/or standing.