Licensed Practical Nurse

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran.

Provides direct care to employees as a primary point of contact for the Occupational Health program.

This position will work collaboratively with designated providers, nursing staff, HR representatives and Safety personnel in Employee Occupational Health.

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 (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant OR meet one of the following 3 exceptions: 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. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.

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.

English Language: Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English.

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: GS-06: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN, and has the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 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 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.

Preferred Experience: 2+ years of experience. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: Work requires extended periods of standing, walking, bending, stopping, lifting, pushing, reaching, and stretching on a regular recurring basis.

Repositioning and transfer of patients is frequently required. Work requires concentration with attention to detail.

It requires the ability to rotate to all three tour of duty, and may, on occasion, require reassignment to another unit. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs front desk support as needed including answering phones, ordering supplies, receiving employee/patients, collecting documents, ensuring completeness of documents.

Register new employees in Vista. Actively participates in employee health medical records creating, keeping, copying, scanning, mailing and purging.

Provide records to other VA facilities using multiple methods including: Scanning, Faxing, Mailing, Emailing.

Manage calendar; working between human resources and occupational health to ensure that candidates are scheduled correctly and that there are adequate appointments available to ensure access.

Establishes a paper medical record for each employee. Ensures that each page is labeled to meet the standard. Provides vaccine administration and education.

Provides nursing care and assistance to patients in need. Actively participates in and documents employee lab results and medical care. Clarifies questionable orders.

Responds appropriately to emergency situations. Assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions maintaining professional boundaries.

Maintains confidentiality and uses discretion when discussing patient information. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding department documentation guidelines.

Completes assignments in a timely manner according to established policies and procedures in a timely manner with minimal supervision. Actively participates on selected Committees.

Participates in quality improvement activities in Occupational Health. Establishes and maintains good interpersonal relationships with patients, families, visitors, peers, and ancillary departments.

Attends mandatory in-services and activities and maintains current licensure and education. Fulfills core competency and unit competency requirements.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm 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 #: 635-61191-0