Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse for outpatient clinics. You will provide direct patient care to adults and the elderly, work under RN/MD supervision, and educate patients on disease management and medications.

The role emphasizes nursing procedures, patient safety, and collaboration with the healthcare team in a Veterans Affairs setting.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency
• Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body

Responsibilities

• The LPN assigned to PACT/Medical Specialty clinics are held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric Veterans for both acute and chronic diseases in an outpatient clinic setting
• S/he recognizes age related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to those age groups
• Duties include but are not limited to: Observes and reports changes in patients' physical and emotional conditions utilizing elements of the nursing process of signs and symptoms identification - observation - perception - clinical measurements - screening protocols - and prescribed history taking
• Implements basic and advanced LPN procedures as defined by policies and procedures Performs patient education and documentation for prevention - healthier lifestyle - functionality - and disease management factors

Job description

Summary

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse 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 provides chronic disease education and qualify of life in the outpatient setting.

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:

• Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) - at the time the program was completed
• Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed
• Granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• Licensure: Must possess a 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
• (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED) GS-3 Level: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Level: Must have completed 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
• (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR - Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) GS-5 Level: Must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes: 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 Level: Must have 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 that includes: 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 2-3 years Primary Care experience 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 required long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting
• May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders.

Duties

• The LPN assigned to PACT/Medical Specialty clinics are held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric Veterans for both acute and chronic diseases in an outpatient clinic setting
• S/he recognizes age related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to those age groups
• Duties include but are not limited to: Observes and reports changes in patients' physical and emotional conditions utilizing elements of the nursing process of signs and symptoms identification - observation - perception - clinical measurements - screening protocols - and prescribed history taking Performs health history screenings per pre-formatted documentation - e.g. - ambulatory care 10-10 - prevention notes - and clinical reminders Screens - intervenes - and follows through for acute/chronic medical and emotional conditions for adult through geriatric populations with minimal supervision of a registered - nurse/provider
• Implements basic and advanced LPN procedures as defined by policies and procedures Performs patient education and documentation for prevention - healthier lifestyle - functionality - and disease management factors Distinguishes between normal changes that accompany the aging process vs
• pathological changes Recognizes priorities and adjusts patient care accordingly Demonstrates ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition
• Delivers patient care in a timely manner and according to approved policies and procedures
• Recognizes and intervenes appropriately for urgent and emergency patient needs Demonstrates ongoing improvement as an experienced LPN in recognizing - assessing - and intervening in both acute and chronic medical conditions - and minor surgical
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 7:45am - 4:15pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 02569F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized