Licensed Practical Nurse - Surgical Specialty

Full Job Description

The LPN, Surgical Specialty GS-7 position is under the supervision of the Nurse Manager in the Surgical Specialty Clinics at the Alvin C.

York VA in Murfreesboro, TN., yet demonstrates independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervision.

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 accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc.

(ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Licensure - Condition of employment.

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.

An LPN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probation status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee.

Proficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C.

7402(d) and 7407(d) 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: The GS-7 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 NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit.

Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures.

Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients.(a) Completion of (minimum of 3 years of LPN experience) at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN.(b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.

Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions.

Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans.(c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery.

Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan.

Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.

At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment.

They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations.(d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to medications/treatments received.

(This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions.

Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels.(e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery.

At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate.(f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient 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.

This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision.(g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media.

Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice.

Preferred Experience: Experience working in outpatient or surgical specialty clinic settings: Orthopedics, ENT, Urology, GYN, Podiatry and Pain Management.

Experience assisting providers with specialty clinic procedures with demonstrated knowledge of sterile technique with proper sterile field setup.

Ability to cross-train and support multiple specialty clinics when needed. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 7 Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5005, Part III, Chapter 2, paragraph 7, and VA Handbook 5019, Occupational Health Services.

All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position.

Must be able to lift (30 lbs or more); twisting and/or bending, standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day Major Duties:

VA LPN Specialty Pay Scale VA25 The LPN GS-7 must demonstrate an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing care assignments within the Surgical Specialty Clinics for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needs.

Exhibits independent technical judgment, critical thinking skills, and the use of independent judgment to carry out complex practices and procedures.

Employees at the GS-7 grade level demonstrate broader skill with respect to these responsibilities.

Demonstrates knowledge, experience, skill and self-motivation to carry out complex patient assignments, which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervision.

Surgical Specialty members have independent duties within a team to ensure that the patients are receiving high quality care and have timely access to care.

Collaborates with a Specialty team to provide complex/specialized patient-centered care to patients' ages, cultural backgrounds, education level, and any other special needs.

The panel population is multi-faceted, including geriatric patients, patients from all war-time eras, female patients, and patient with complex psychiatric needs.

Performs direct patient care activities, as appropriate to assignment, (includes, but is not limited to): Assists with data collection for outpatients and new admissions.

Observes, reports, and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition. Attends patient care conferences.

Provides input into the Nursing Care Plan and/or the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care.

Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients according to nursing standards and Medical Center policy and procedure.

This includes, but is not limited to: Bathing, showering, oral care, shaving, nail care, feeding, turning, positioning, and ambulating as directed. Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g.

sputum, emesis, urine, and stools. Performing enterostomal care, perineal care, administering enemas, and colostomy irrigations.

Providing bowel/bladder training, applying external urinary devices, and performing bladder catheterization. Providing oral, nasopharyngeal, and tracheal care. Administering oxygen as directed.

Administering enteral feedings. Providing wound care as ordered and reporting any changes and/or progress to the RN.

Applying abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, ace bandage, and alternating pressure boots as directed. Providing for lifting, moving, transferring, and/or transporting patients.

Using patient lifting devices, pressure relief mattresses, hyper/hypothermia blankets, electronic scales, and feeding pumps. Implements established care plans.

Reports and documents progress or changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition to the RN and in the medical record.

Provides care for pre-operative and post-operative patients, including those having special procedures and treatments.

Reports changes in patient's behavior and or physical condition to the registered nurse and/or physician.

Teaching may include pre- and post-op care, diabetic self-care, activities of daily living, coughing, deep breathing, suctioning and tracheostomy care, self-administration of medication and additional procedures as directed by the registered nurse.

Obtains and records VSs (temperature, B/P, Pulse Oximetry, l &O, heights, weights, and Administers oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications.\ Monitors intravenous therapy for prescribed rate, patency, infiltration and/or extravasation.

Discontinues intravenous infusion when directed by the RN or the physician. Documents and reports findings per policy in the electronic health record.

Performs a range of treatment procedures as direct which includes, but not limited to: application of hot and cold packs, sterile dressing changes, urethral cauterization, external catheter care, suctioning of the mouth, pharynx and tracheostomy, tracheostomy care, enteral feedings, colostomy and urostomy care, irrigation of wounds, bladder and eye, use of specialized equipment such as Bair Hugger, and oxygen apparatus.

follows computer security regulations.

Other Duties as assigned VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (days) based on needs of service Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized