Licensed Practical Nurse

Full Job Description

The Licensed Practical Nurse position is located within the Nursing service of the Central Alabama VA Health Care System.

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

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. 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)].

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.

VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C.

7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C.

7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C.

7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. 3 Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. Licensure.

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.

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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, 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. 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.

Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) 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; or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.

(d) 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(a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

(A)Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.

Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes.

(B) Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.

(C) 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.

(D) Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated.

(E) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

(g) 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 (a) 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.

(b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.

(c) 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.

(d) 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, socio-economic, and age-related factors.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

(h) 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.

(i) Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, 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 (j) 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 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Provides a range of customer focused nursing care and treatment procedures to patients/residents with a variety of nursing care needs to include: personal hygiene, grooming, turning, lifting and positioning patients/residents to prevent decubitus/stimulate circulation; insert nasogastric tubes, tube feeding, monitoring and maintaining rate of IV fluids; assisting in maintenance of patency of gastric and urinary drainage; performing urinary catheterizations, administering all types of enemas; assisting patients with nebulization treatment as needed; carrying out isolation techniques as required; assisting and collecting all types of specimens, using sterile, aseptic techniques; cleansing and changing simple wound dressings; Assists patients, etc., in need of help in getting to their destination.

Collects data for patient assessments and documents in a timely and accurate manner, using the SOAPIE format, all pertinent information coming to his/her knowledge as a result of observations, providing care and/or interacting with patients/residents/significant others.

Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team planning conference by sharing observations and patient's/resident's response to treatment/care plan.

Communicates effectively giving pertinent information about assignment.

Prepares and administers prescribed medications, both orally and intramuscular injections, in accordance with current directives, accurately documenting same in the patient's/resident's medical records.

Checks narcotics, certifying correctness with the off-going and on-coming registered nurse.

Assists with rehabilitative/restorative aspects of care, sensory stimulations, Reality Orientation, Social and Reminiscent group sessions; patient's/resident's participating in individual/group and ADL, other prescribed therapies.

Recognizes signs of psychiatric emergencies, notifying physician/nurse immediately for disposition.

Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team planning conference by sharing observations and patient's/resident's response to treatment/care plan.

Communicates effectively giving pertinent information about assignment.

Recognizes signs of cardiac/respiratory arrests and choking; initiating "Code Blue" signals, applying CPR measures and other resuscitative measures as indicated.

Recognizes signs of psychiatric emergencies, notifying physician/nurse immediately for disposition. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:30pm to 12 midnight.

Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs.

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) 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 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 #: 619-59890-A , 60009F - 60008F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not available