Licensed Practical Nurse - Specialty Care (Medical Subspecialties Clinic)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves at the point of care within the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, providing nursing care to a diverse veteran population across acute, residential, mental health, rehabilitation, and hospice settings.

Under supervision, the LPN documents care, administers prescribed medications as policy allows, and collaborates with RNs, LIPs, and other professionals to ensure quality, compassionate care while maintaining safety and adherence to standards.

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN license in the United States or DC.
• English language proficiency and ability to communicate effectively in writing and speech.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality nursing care to Veterans in various settings (acute, residential, mental health, rehab, palliative, hospice).
• Document care in the medical record and communicate observations to the RN or provider.
• Perform prescribed nursing care including medications as permitted by policy.
• Work under supervision of higher-level staff and participate in a multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain safety and adhere to standards of care and practice.

Education

Graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program

Job description

Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical (LPN) 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 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

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 written and spoken English
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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) 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above
• 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 Experience/Education: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or Education: Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• Combined Education & Experience: 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
• GS-5 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the next lower level (GS-4)
• Additionally an LPN as this level will be able to demonstrate: knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• 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 Experience: 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
• LPN must be technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing car to variable patient populations
• Possess 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
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations
• 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.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)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6
• Physical Evaluation: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking - bending - stooping - and some lifting
• There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves at the point of care for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
• Under supervision from a higher-grade LPN - registered nurse (RN) - or Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) - the LPN provides quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population of varying complexity in a variety of settings - acute care - residential - mental health - rehabilitation - palliative - and hospice
• The LPN is accountable for adhering to established policies - procedures - standards of care and standards of practice and - for maintaining competencies consistence with role and responsibilities
• The incumbent documents care in the medical record and reports observations and findings to the registered nurse and if appropriate the clinical provider
• The LPN performs complex age specific nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with a variety of physical - mental - behavioral and/or psychological needs and is limited to situations demanding a degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills - according to assignment and training
• The LPN engages in nursing care which requires the knowledge and skills of an individual qualified as a licensed practical nurse
• The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient - whether an individual - family - group - or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses)
• Care is a multidisciplinary approach - including collaboration with Dietetic Services - Business Operations - Social Workers - Primary Care PACT staff - medical staff - OR scheduler - and various providers in the community - and incorporating best practice from research studies
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8 hour tours) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized