Practical Nurse

Full Job Description

Licensed Practical Nurse (Ambulatory Care) The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), provides direct and indirect care to assigned patients while under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN).

Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations 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)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant.

Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006.

[Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website.

Exceptions include:] 2 (1) 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.

(2) [ ] 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.

An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] 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: (1) 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.] (2) GS-4.

[Employees may be appointed at 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 (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.

(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.

(3) GS-5 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

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

[Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery.

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

(c) Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and 4 interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.

(d) 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.

Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO.

(e) Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.

(4) 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.

(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.

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: This clinical position includes a physicality normally associated with direct patient care.

The physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing, sitting, frequent bending, stooping, walking, reaching, repetitive motion, and climbing stairs.

The mental/sensory requirements include logical thinking, processing, and retaining information, reading, recall, reasoning, complex problem solving, hearing, clear distinct speech, writing, keyboarding, use of a telephone, and use of video connectivity Major Duties:

The Licensed Practical Nurse has the 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.

Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.

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, education, and training less experienced LPNs or NAs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures Functions of Scope: - Assists with patient admission and discharge.

- Participates in patient care conferences and contributes to the formulation of the interdisciplinary patient care plan. - Performs colostomy care for stabilized patient's colostomies.

- Catheterizes and irrigates bladders. - Establishes closed drainage systems and provides routine catheter care. - Initiate's oxygen therapy as ordered by the physician or as directed by the RN.

- Applies hot/cold devices. - Suction's mouth, pharynx, and trachea. - Performs postural draining and cupping. - Utilizing proper body mechanics, positions, turns, lifts, and transfers patients.

- Cares for the patients in isolation. - Administers enemas. - Demonstrates skill in aseptic technique with wet and dry wound dressing.

- Assists the RN and physician in routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and in emergency situations. - Assists with setting up and operating special equipment.

- Provides nasogastric and gastrostomy tube feedings and care of the tube. - Provides postmortem care.

- Recognizes emergency situations and can initiate appropriate action(s) according to medical center policy and procedures.

- Assists in teaching and supervising patients in the activities of daily living, preventative and rehabilitation aspects of care, prevention of the spread of disease and other aspects of care.

- Feed patients. - Bathes and provides routine skin care, oral care and bed making.

- Contributes to a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patient and staff by cleaning equipment, furniture, and patient care areas.

- Accepts and performs any other assignment designated by the professional registered nurse in charge that is essential to the care of patients and appropriate to the LPN's level of training.

- Applies knowledge of age specific concepts when contributing to the care plan for the geriatric or other age-related needs as identified by the health care team.

- Establishes and maintains positive rapport and effective working relationships with supervisor, coworkers, families, and visitors to promote better working environment and facility image.

- Provides consistent approach to care that is sensitive, respectful, and demonstrates an understanding of customer service. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 0800 - 1630.

Various tours may be requested to fill service need.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized