LICENSE PRACTICAL NURSE - NURSING INTERVENTIONAL & SPECIALTY CARE

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Bay Pines (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Relocation incentives

Federal health/vision/dental

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to deliver direct patient care under supervision.

The role emphasizes quality health care, outstanding service to veterans, and adherence to VA nursing standards. Responsibilities include administering medications, performing nursing procedures, documenting patient status, and collaborating with the nursing team.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the state and NLNAC accreditation at program completion.
• Active, full and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate LPN/LVN in the United States or DC.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care to patients in various healthcare settings.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous).
• Observe and document patient responses to medications and report changes.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Observation

Emergency response

Documentation

Education

Graduate of Practical/NV nursing

Active LPN/LVN licensure

Job description

Summary

The primary purpose of the LPN/ LVN is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LVN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN performs under the close supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee.

Summary

The primary purpose of the LPN/ LVN is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LVN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN performs under the close supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee.

Qualifications

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
• 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: GS-03: 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-04: (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
• GS-05: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06: 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
• Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information
• Ability to observe - identify - and response to a 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members and other staff
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which includes preparing the patient and 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
• Preferred Experience: 2 years of dermatology experience and/or medical specialty clinic experience Outpatient procedures and sterile field setup (minor procedures) National Certification - Wound Care Strong technology and communication skills: Face-to-Face - written - telephonic - secure email - and virtual (video) 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: The work requires physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching - and lifting moderately heavy items such as assisting patients - manuals - record boxes - or equipment
• The work requires above average agility and dexterity
• The incumbent may be required to travel between VA and/or CBOCs and possession of a valid driver's

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities of the LICENSE PRACTICAL NURSE - NURSING INTERVENTIONAL & SPECIALTY CARE include - but are not limited to: Demonstrates an understanding in delivering holistic care through collaborative strategies with others in a team environment for patients within the assigned service
• Has knowledge of program regulations and is able to to carry out objectives of the Nursing program
• In doing this - follows guidelines to meet and maintain program requirements
• Provides direct nursing care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings
• Completes and documents care provided
• Based on assigned area - performs nursing care procedures (sterile techniques - blood glucose monitoring - wound care - oxygen therapy - deep breathing and coughing) according to policy - guidelines and oversight from senior nursing staff Recognizes the patient's autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect - limit setting and individualized treatment
• Complies with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for pretreatment/cleaning Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) in applicable patient care setting
• Administers nursing care to patients - such as baths or showers - enemas - treatments - and minor dressing changes as assigned
• Takes and accurately records vital signs - height and weight and records in the Electronic Health Record
• Prepares patient for diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous - and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Identifies - reports - and documents medication errors/discrepancies - reactions and side effects immediately - according to policy and procedure
• The LPN/LVN observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's health condition - which may include prescribed medications/treatments - to promptly and accurately documenting identified changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN/HCP
• Uses appropriate therapeutic interventions for all patients
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to patients who require nursing care - e.g
• seriously ill - disturbed - confused - and/or wandering
• Monitors patients according to levels of observation - acuity - and assignment sheet
• Uses observations for data collection - reporting and recording
• Promotes performance improvement initiatives - identifies problems - collects data - and supports change
• Identifies - reports - and documents all changes in patient's behavior or condition to the RN and appropriate collaborative treatment team members
• Communicates information in a calm - non-judgemental - and non-threatening manner
• Participates in the interdisciplinary treatment team meeting process
• Responsible for participating within unit-based and/or organizational-level Shared Governance councils - utilizing clinical expertise - evidence-based practice - and knowledge to assist with finding solutions to problems or issues to improve the quality care provided to veterans
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized to highly qualified and eligible new federal appointees or former federal employees with at least a 90-day break in service
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increase Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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 eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 21055F - 21050F - 21053F - 21048F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized