Licensed Practical Nurse (Primary Care)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Charles George VAMC in Asheville, NC is recruiting for four Licensed Practical Nurses for Primary Care in Nursing Services. The LPN/LVN provides patient care under RN supervision in an outpatient setting, performing a range of nursing tasks to support quality care.

Applicants must meet basic requirements including U.S. citizenship, state licensure, and graduation from an approved practical nursing program.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship may be required for federal employment.
• Graduate of an approved practical nursing program with licensure in the state.
• Successful completion of required licensure process as an LPN/LVN.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse in an outpatient setting.
• Administer prescribed medications and document patient responses and any adverse effects.
• Assist in patient assessments, wound care, and vital signs documentation.
• Promote patient education on health maintenance and safety within the care team.

Skills

LPN/LVN license

Clinical nursing

Team collaboration

Education

LPN diploma

Job description

Summary

The Charles George VAMC is currently recruiting for four (4) Licensed Practical Nurses for Primary Care in Nursing Services. 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 in an outpatient location.

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
• 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
• 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• Licensure: Full - active - current and unrestricted license as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States - or 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements GS-4: Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR Graduation from an approved school 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
• GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patient with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients - family members - 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 recognized 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
• 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
• 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
• 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 - 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: Clinic experience within last 3 years
• 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: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolated situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides effective education to patients and family members in relation to disease process - medication and or prescribed treatment regimes
• The LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with PACT (Patient - Primary Care Provider - RN Care Coordinator and Medical Support Assistant) and larger team (family/caregiver - internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the patient)
• The LPN appropriately prioritizes overall patient care needs and adjusts plans for care delivery within the clinic
• Makes astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes - both physical and emotional - in patient's or caregiver's condition - and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient’s care plan
• Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or Primary Care Provider
• The LPN exhibits skill - creativity - and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces - research projects - or in developing educational materials/media
• Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice
• Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision
• The LPN is - to a considerable extent - expected to exercise independent technical judgements - to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles - art and sciences of practical nursing
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes
• Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control - resistant or abusive behaviors - or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions
• This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision.Major duties and responsibilities include - but not limited to: Must be able to function independently and autonomously - according to established policies - procedures - and practices
• Must demonstrate the ability to observe - identify and respond to the Veteran's needs for nursing - medication - point-of- care testing - and equipment- assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal
• Responsible for Veteran and Family/Caregiver assessment for health literacy and educational needs - including health coaching and provision of education
• and self-directed
• Completes the Health Promotion/clinical reminders as appropriate - documents accordingly
• Performs care that is demographically and environmentally appropriate
• and uses techniques to de-escalate disruptive patients appropriately
• Participating in team performance improvements and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency care delivery with Veterans
• Managing communications and facilitating safe transitions of Veterans between the PACT's site of care and other health care settings - using informal and formal communication methods - as appropriate
• Providing health education and health coaching on wellness - disease prevention - chronic disease management - and self-management skills with Veterans - Family - and Caregivers
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - variable day tours
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 VAInsurance: 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
• Functional Statement #:00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized