Practical Nurse (Specialty Clinic)

Full Job Description

This Practical Nurse position is located within the Specialty Clinics at the Charles George VA Medical Center location within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse is a member of the healthcare team, who performs a variety of nursing skills specific to the clinical needs of patients on the assigned work unit and under supervision of a registered nurse.

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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by applicant.

Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

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 as required by 38 U.S.C.

7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: 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.

GS-4 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.

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.

GS-5 Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

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.

Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and 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.

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 approval 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.

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.

Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures.

However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.

GS-6 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.

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/LVN 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: Primary Care Experience.

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-06.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Extensive periods of sitting, standing and walking.

Working with patients requires regular and recurring lifting, pushing, stooping, squatting, kneeling, crouching and similar activities. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS/3 functions as a member of the nursing care team by demonstrating practical knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort in carrying out practical nursing care assignments.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS/4/5 functions as a member of the nursing care team by demonstrating advancing nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort in carrying out practical nursing care assignments.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS/6 has the knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex nursing care assignments for selected patients requiring skilled nursing care on a regular/recurring basis.

Major duties include but are not limited to: The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is directly responsible to the professional nurse for providing direct care within his/her scope of practice.

Provides patient care and assistance for complex, specialized patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems in the clinic setting.

Observes, identifies and responds to the patients¿ needs for nursing, medication, and equipment assisted care and recognizes deviations from normal.

Ability to serve as a responsible member of the health care team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care.

Uses practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to situations in working effectively with patients, family and other staff members.

Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare and administer commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intra-muscular, and/or intravenous medications and other routes as permitted by Charles George VAMC policy and procedure.

Initiates and collects patient data including reminders, vital signs, weights, oximetry, blood glucose and the collection of specimens.

Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the Registered Nurse or the care provider and assist in the resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.

Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

Initiates and performs specialized nonstandard and complex procedures including urinary bladder scanning, oxygen therapy, ostomy care, EKG, and spirometry.

Initiates procedure preparation, adapting them to the patient's physical and emotional needs before, during and after procedures, observing and managing therapeutic or possible complications resulting from the procedure.

Initiates and performs nursing measures to prevent complications by recognizing deviations and/or changes in patient conditions. Continues to keep updated on new medications.

Prioritizes effectively and manages time productively in the clinical setting. Follows and utilizes the nurse protocols entering consults and orders when applicable.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, Variable day tours Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Remote: This is not a remote position.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.