Licensed Practical Nurse

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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. 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 Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met.

The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-07: The GS-07 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility.

To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment.

Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN.

The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) must be met: Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.

Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action.

Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received.

Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations.

Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive outcomes.

Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions.

Skill, creativity, and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels.

Comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care.

Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery.

Preferred Experience and Certifications 2-3 years of experience as in LPN/LVN experience related to the area of deployment Basic Life Support (BLS) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

NOTE: Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who were converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C.

7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C.

7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986 are considered to have met the Education requirement. The waiver does not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C.

7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.

Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others.

Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required.

However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Major Duties:

The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), GS7 performs more complex nursing assignments within their setting.

The LPN/LVN possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices.

The LPN/LVN GS7 work is of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision.

Individuals in these positions are to be a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of practical nursing.

Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grades.

The GS7 LPN/LVN is responsible for goals and interventions that promote veterans in attaining maximum functional potential.

This is accomplished through but not limited to modalities such as ambulation, bowel and bladder training, dressing, grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, range of motion exercises and fall prevention modalities.

The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works independently, with readily available guidance from a registered nurse (RN) or health care provider (HCP).

The LPN is responsible for observing, recording, and reporting changes in the patient's condition, as well as assisting in the development and revision of patient driven care plan.

The LPN is a member of the expanded team and demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the core team (Patient, Primary Care Provider, RN Care Manager and Clerical Associate) and the expanded team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services involved in providing care to the patient).

Work Schedule: 0730-1600 Monday through Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available