Practical Nurse (Primary Care)

Full Job Description

This Practical Nurse position is in Primary Care services at the New Bedford VA Clinic (CBOC), with the VA Providence Healthcare System. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

The LPN GS-06, is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients.

Recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

(Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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:] 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. 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.

Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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).

Grade Determinations: 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..

Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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.

Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.

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.

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.

Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3, PART II, APPENDIX G13. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Major Duties:

The LPN is a member of the Patient Aligned Care Team (Patient, Provider, RN Care Manger and Medical Support Assistant).

The incumbent works collaboratively with the core and expanded team in setting priorities and deadlines for patient care.

Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as an active member of the healthcare team with professional and supportive personnel; Attends meetings with the inter-disciplinary treatment team and contributes to the development and changes in the comprehensive treatment plans; Demonstrates ability to vary the order/sequence of assigned procedures based on the knowledge of the patient's condition; Assumes responsibility for a designated unit in accordance with JCAHO Standards and recommendations, with an RN ultimately responsible; Reviews report of patient's condition and other pertinent data, using judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines; Considers physical, emotional and social factors in modifying nursing care plans; Observes, reports, and documents patient's condition and changes noted; Demonstrates ability to use knowledge of patient's condition and changes noted; Promotes patient participation in the therapeutic community with the goal of fostering self-reliance and independence; Provides assistance or complete physical care for patients by observing, identifying and responding to specific patient needs; Administers prescribed medications following standard medical center policies.

Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to situations in the provision of nursing care.

Provides a safe environment and protects patients' rights; Demonstrates knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations; Conducts group meetings on a regular/recurring basis to help patients share feelings, interact, and function in accordance with the patient's treatment plan; Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feelings and attitudes/promote positive relationships, communications, and socialization skills; Administers more complex treatments such as complex wound care; Prepares patients for off/on unit complex diagnostic procedures.

May assist in these procedures and provide support for patients having such procedures; Demonstrates ability to determine when changes in patient's conditions are significant enough to notify the immediate supervisor for assistance in decision making and/or determining nursing care; Demonstrates ability to make recommendations on changes in the comprehensive treatment plan based upon observations, analysis of patient's condition and response to the current plans; and Other related duties.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: F05311 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C.

7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.. This position is covered by a special rate.

Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.