Licensed Practical Nurse

Full Job Description

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) administer care and apply nursing intervention techniques to patients with a wide range of disease entities.

Nursing care duties are performed in the Geriatric Area/Community Living Center(s) (CLCs) and consists of providing acute, intensive and emergent nursing care to patients in the geriatric or dementia care area, preventing the occurrence of complications and/or life-threatening situations, and providing optimum 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.

"If licensure has been obtained a copy MUST be submitted with application".

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.

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 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.

GS-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.

Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care.

Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications.

This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition.

Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest.

Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies.

GS-06 Proficiency 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 respond to a 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, 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, 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.

Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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 and Certifications: (1) year Long Term Care experience.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G-13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard dated April 10, 2003. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN physical standards.

Major Duties:

Major duties of the LPN include but not limited to the following: Assembles emergency equipment at bedside, initiates and assists RN or physician with CPR.

Functions as a team member under direct supervision of the professional nurse. Assists RN with admission of patients.

Copes with unpredictable behavior problems related to or in conjunction with the geriatric or dementia patients. Uses highly specialized equipment according to procedure. Initiates IV therapy.

Monitors infusion solution and rate of IV infusion, adds IV fluids to existing line as ordered. Changes IV dressings, site and/or tubing, (on IV Certified units only).

Administers narcotics, follows correct sign-out documentation. Administers subcutaneous heparin and flushes heparin locks.

Participates in developing the patient's nursing care plan; documents in the patient's clinical record. Uses the FOCUS format to record changes in the patient's physical or emotional condition.

Instructs patient and family in basic self-care techniques and procedures.

Performs pulmonary toiletry and maintenance for patients, including those with endotracheal tube or tracheostomy, or oxygen apparatus. Recognizes signs of respiratory distress/complications.

Inputs and retrieves data via automated data processing, i.e., lab, x-ray, diet orders, interim reports, final reports, etc.

Provides recreational activities for patients using guidelines from the Recreational Therapist or Charge Nurse. Work Schedule: 7am-7:30pm, Rotating Weekends and Holidays.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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).

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 #: 59777F, 58713F, 58714F, 58715F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.