Licensed Practical Nurse (Specialty Clinic)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Charles George VAMC is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse for the Specialty Clinic within Nursing Services. The LPN/LVN will perform a variety of nursing skills under supervision to meet patient care needs in the Surgical and Medical Clinics.

Applicants must meet basic requirements, hold an active LPN license, and be prepared to work in a team-based healthcare environment at the Charles George VAMC in Asheville, NC.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program.
• Full active LPN/LVN license in the United States.
• Ability to meet state requirements for licensure and privileges.
• High regard for patient safety and basic emergency response.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care in the Specialty Clinic under supervision.
• Administer medications and document responses per policy.
• Assist in patient assessments, monitoring, and care planning.
• Collaborate with RN, MD/DO, and clinic staff to ensure quality care.

Skills

LPN licensure

Patient care

Clinical teamwork

Observation & reporting

Education

LPN/LVN education

NLNAC/approved program

Job description

Summary

The Charles George VAMC is currently recruiting for one (1) Licensed Practical Nurse for the Specialty Clinic 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 Specialty Clinic. Specialty Clinics include both Surgical and Medical Clinics.

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 the 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 isolation 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) is directly responsible to the professional nurse for providing direct care within his/her scope of practice
• Duties include but are not limited to: Provides patient care and assistance for complex - specialized patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems in the clinic setting
• Observes - identifies and responds to the patients' needs for nursing - medication - and equipment assisted care and recognizes deviations from normal
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of the health care team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Uses practical knowledge of human behavior - motivations and reactions to situations in working effectively with patients - family and other staff members
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare and administer commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intra-muscular - and/or intravenous medications and other routes as permitted by Charles George VAMC policy and procedure
• Initiates and collects patient data including reminders - vital signs - weights - oximetry - blood glucose and the collection of specimens
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the Registered Nurse or the care provider and assist in the 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
• Initiate and perform specialized nonstandard and complex procedures including urinary bladder scanning - oxygen therapy - ostomy care - EKG - and spirometry
• Initiates procedure preparation - adapting them to the patient's physical and emotional needs before - during and after procedures - observing and managing therapeutic or possible complications resulting from the procedure
• Initiates and performs nursing measures to prevent complications by recognizing deviations and/or changes in patient conditions
• Continue to keep updated on new medications
• Prioritizes effectively and manages time productively in the clinical setting
• Follow and utilize the nurse protocols entering consults and orders when applicable
• 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 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
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized