Licensed Practical Nurse

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Akron, OH seeks an LPN/LVN to provide direct patient care at the Akron VA Clinic. The role includes preparing and administering medications, monitoring patient conditions, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

Applicants must have graduated from an approved practical nursing program and hold a full, active LPN/LVN license, with valid driver's license to support clinic duties. The full scope includes urgent care support and detailed charting.

Qualifications

• Must graduate from a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the state agency.
• Must possess a full, active, current, unrestricted LPN/LVN license in the United States.
• Driver's license required for vehicle operation as part of duties.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under supervision in the Akron VA Clinic.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous).
• Recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiate appropriate interventions.
• Maintain accurate documentation and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.

Skills

Patient care

Medication administration

Nursing assessment

Critical thinking

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

LPN/LVN license

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

This position is located at the Akron VA Clinic Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Akron, OH. 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

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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, 33rdFloor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website .Exceptions include:
  • 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. Must possess a 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.
• Driver's License. Must possess a valid driver's license. This position requires operation of a Government-owned or -leased motor vehicle to properly carry out assigned duties. A valid state-issued driver license is required, along with medical clearance by Personnel Health.
• 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

Must possess at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent. You must fully meet all performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN or equivalent and your resume must fully support this. Examples of experience include 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 patients' conditions; selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; completed work only needs a general review by a registered nurse or physician; preparing and administering prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous); recognizing urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeking assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed; and performing duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures.

Preferred Experience

2 years nursing experience in skilled home care, hospice, adult inpatient setting, or skilled nursing facility; Excellent interpersonal relationship skills; Ability to work in an interdisciplinary setting; Ability to work independently and make competent clinical decisions using critical thinking skills; Sound documentation; Ability to prioritize responsibilities; Ability to work independently in a variety of home environments.

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-07.

Physical Requirements

This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses for potentially long periods of time. This may include walking, standing, stooping, bending, sitting, reaching, pushing, pulling and navigating stairs. It may include moderate lifting/carrying, not greater than 35 pounds following Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines. Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting and seek assistance or use mechanical lifts for weights greater than 35 pounds following Safe Patient Handling Guidelines. Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties, distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely. The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties, and the use of hearing aids is permitted.