Licensed Practical Nurse - Ambulatory Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Coatesville (Chester County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to provide safe, patient-centered care in ambulatory settings, including primary and vaccine clinics.

Work closely with a multidisciplinary team to support the Veteran’s health needs and ensure accurate documentation and education for patients and families. The role requires graduation from an approved LPN/LVN program and an active license in the United States, with proficiency in English

Qualifications

• Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the State agency and/or NLNAC accreditation.
• Full active, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a US state or DC.
• English language proficiency required for direct patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe, individualized nursing care in ambulatory care settings.
• Collaborate with healthcare team to coordinate and manage patient care.
• Document medications, treatments and patient responses accurately.
• Assist with teaching patients and families about care plans and medications.

Skills

Practical nursing

English proficiency

Education

Graduate of a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program

Current LPN/LVN license in the United States

Job description

Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (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 LPN/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.

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

• 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 - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in below: 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 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: 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 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
• 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 (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN
• Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: 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: Experience in Primary Care - Outpatient Care and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory Care area which includes Primary Care - Specialty Care - and Vaccine clinic settings
• He/she interacts - collaborates - and communicates effectively with the veteran - families - caregivers - professionals and other supportive staff both internal and external
• He/she initiates appropriate actions based on his/her observations of the patient's condition
• He/she requires minimum of supervision and performs the functions listed below consistently with skill and effectiveness
• Duties are performed under the general supervision of a RN or Healthcare Provider (HCP)
• Individuals at this grade are expected to have broad working knowledge of practice nursing procedures - however - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer high-level review
• In the Primary Care clinic - the LPN/LVN serves as a one of the core members of the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)
• The LPN/LVN works in collaboration with the Primary Care Provider (PCP) - Care Manager Registered Nurse (RN) and the Medical Support Assistant (MSA)
• Together - with the patient and their caregiver support system they work to manage the care of a panel of adult patients across the continuum
• Additional duties include - but are not limited to: Demonstrates proficiency in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties while providing care to diverse patient populations
• Maintains knowledge and ability to carry out patient care determined by the patient's condition utilizing judgement in selecting appropriate orders - procedures - and treatments
• and recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information to include urgent and emergent situations
• Observes - identifies - and responds to patient needs for medication - medical equipment - and patient/ family education while considering emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic and age-related factors
• Maintains knowledge and skill to prepare - safely 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
• Identifies patient's educational needs to include equipment - medication - treatment - procedures - and diagnosis
• Assists with teaching patient/family as appropriate
• Demonstrates flexibility by willing and promptly accepting changes in work assignment and locations
• Communicates effectively and professionally with both internal and external customers
• Ability to organize work - set priorities - delegate tasks/responsibilities and follow‑up for completeness in order to provide and expedite patient care
• May need to travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinics
• Additional duties as assigned
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm with extended hours that may alter this tour
• (Note: Tours may change to provide extended hours to veterans) Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized