Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care (Knoxville, TN)

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. 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. 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).

02Grade 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 The LPN GS-03 will perform at the advanced beginner level. He/she is responsible for direct patient care activities under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Written assignment. with supplemental verbal instructions that are given by the RN.

Work performance is observed and regularly evaluated by the Registered Nurse-for purposes of competency validation. The practical nurse seeks guidance from the RN when difficulty is encountered with the assignment GS-04 The LPN GS-04 will perform at the advanced beginner level. He/she is responsible for direct patient care activities under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Written assignment. with supplemental verbal instructions that are given by the RN.

Work performance is observed and regularly evaluated by the Registered Nurse-for purposes of competency validation. The practical nurse seeks guidance from the RN when difficulty is encountered with the assignment. Demonstrate ability to serve as a responsible member of the clinic and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services.

Assists with answering the phone, conveying timely messages to the appropriate staff, placing calls/pages as needed. Have the option to participate in the accurate collection of data as instructed by the Nurse Manager or designee. GS-05 The LPN GS-05 will demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.

Works with the RN and/or MD to appropriately orient train less experienced LPN's, NAs, and Health Technicians (HT) according to acceptable standards of practice in the delivery optimal patient care. Demonstrate ability to serve as a responsible member of the clinic and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services.

Assist with answering the phone, conveying timely messages to the appropriate staff, placing calls/pages as needed. Have the option to participate in the accurate collection of data as instructed by the Nurse Manager or designee. GS-06 The LPN GS-06 are 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information. Ability to observe, identify, and response to a patient's needs for care including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education.

Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed.

Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members and other staff. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which includes preparing the patient.

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..

03Preferred Experience

Three to four years of experience as an LPN. Dependability and experience in a variety of clinical settings, such as primary care, internal medicine, or other specialty outpatient clinics. Knowledge and ability to participate actively in teaching patients, family, and/or significant other. Ability to function in outpatient clinics with minimal supervision. Ability to recognize and respond to potential emergent patient situations. Electronic medical record experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

04Physical Requirements

The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JHQVAMC) is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, lifting more than 10 pounds, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required.

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: The LPN in Primary Care is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and performs a wide range of resident/patient care and supportive duties throughout the Medical Center. The LPN in Primary Care must demonstrate a degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary to provide a full range of practical nursing care for the medically complex Veteran population.

The LPN in Primary Care will exhibit technical judgment, critical thinkling skills, and appropriate use of judgment to carry out assigned duties which include ability to prioritize and coordinate the care of the medically complex Veteran population. The LPN in Primary Care is under the general supervision of the Registered Nurse yet possesses a broad working knowledge of priactical nursing.

The LPN in Primary Care demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the Ambulatory Care/ Primary Care health care team. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent is responsible to the Nurse Manager or assigned supervisor and is accountable to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services {ADPCS). Customer Service Requirements: Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions.

Consistently communicates and treats customers {patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule:(Monday- Friday) 6:45 am-5:30 pm., with 2 days off per pay period Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station: Not Authorized 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).

Pay Scale: V0OB and 001M 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 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 VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61699-F; 61698-F; 61697-F, 61700-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized EDRP: Not Authorized