Summary
The Northport VA Medical Center is hiring for one - full-time - permanent Licensed Practical Nurse to work in the Community Living Center.
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: Must be proficient in both written and spoken English (as required by 38 USC 7402(d) and 7407(d)
- Education: Must be a graduate of practical nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant
- Licensure: Full - current - active and unrestricted licensure as a graduate licensed practical nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia
- Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements - 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
- 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 Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:(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
- 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 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.(b) 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.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.(g) 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 (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.(b) Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) 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.(g) 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.(h) 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.(i) 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.(j) 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: Long Term Care experience preferred 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: This position requires the ability to bend - lift - stop - push - and pull
- See handbook 5019 for detailed information
Duties
- LPN duties include - but are not limited to: Accountable for adhering to established policies - procedures - standards of care and standards of practice - and for maintaining competencies consistent with role and responsibilities
- Works under the supervision of the registered nurse who provides guidance and direction
- Daily assignments are prepared by the registered nurse and reviewed with the licensed practical nurse
- Documents in the medical record and reports observations and findings to the registered nurse and if appropriate - to the physician
- Utilizes therapeutic communication with Veterans - families and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team
- Assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions and acts as a patient advocate
- Administers medications as ordered
- VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Work Schedule: Full-Time - 7:30pm-8:00am Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.