Practical Nurse

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

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; 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; 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.

02Licensure

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) GS-3 Level: None beyond the basic requirements. 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) GS-5 Level: Must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes: 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.

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 Level: Must have 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 GS-5 LPN/LVN that includes: 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 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.

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. 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.

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.

03Preferred Experience

2-3 years Primary Care 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

04Physical Requirements

This position required long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. CANDIDATES WILL BE REFERRED TO THE HIRING OFFICIAL EVERY WEEK UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED. The LPN assigned to PACT/Medical Specialty clinics are held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric Veterans for both acute and chronic diseases in an outpatient clinic setting. S/he recognizes age related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to those age groups.

Duties include but are not limited to: Observes and reports changes in patients' physical and emotional conditions utilizing elements of the nursing process of signs and symptoms identification, observation, perception, clinical measurements, screening protocols, and prescribed history taking Performs health history screenings per pre-formatted documentation, e.g., ambulatory care 10-10, prevention notes, and clinical reminders Screens, intervenes, and follows through for acute/chronic medical and emotional conditions for adult through geriatric populations with minimal supervision of a registered - nurse/provider.

Implements basic and advanced LPN procedures as defined by policies and procedures Performs patient education and documentation for prevention, healthier lifestyle, functionality, and disease management factors Distinguishes between normal changes that accompany the aging process vs. pathological changes Recognizes priorities and adjusts patient care accordingly Demonstrates ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition.

Delivers patient care in a timely manner and according to approved policies and procedures. Recognizes and intervenes appropriately for urgent and emergency patient needs Demonstrates ongoing improvement as an experienced LPN in recognizing, assessing, and intervening in both acute and chronic medical conditions, and minor surgical. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:45am - 4:15pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 02569F, 02634F, 02673F, 02657F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized