Practical Nurse

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Town of Tomah (WI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Wisconsin to join the VA health system. This position falls on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale, spanning GS-3 through GS-6 grades, with eligibility for a recruitment/relocation incentive.

Salary ranges align with GS grades: GS-3 to GS-6, plus benefits. Applicants must meet citizenship, licensure, and education requirements; transcripts are required for education verification, and grandfathering provisions may

Qualifications

• Citizenship: United States, non-citizens may be referred only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Licensure: Full, active, current & unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in the United States or DC.
• Education: Graduate of an approved school; transcripts required. Exceptions described in the vacancy text.
• Grandfathering: May qualify under Grandfathering Provision for current VA employees in this occupation.

Education

Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency

Job description

The following are the LPN Salary Ranges:

Salary Range:

• GS 3: $45,474 - $59,123
• GS 4: $50,328 - $65,429
• GS 5: $54,356 - $70,663
• GS 6: $58,373 - $75,884

In addition, a Recruitment/Relocation Incentive is approved

Applicants pending 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.
• Licensure: Full, active, current & 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.
• 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
  • Exceptions may 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.
    • VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or 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

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 basic requirements. LPNs are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license.

GS-4:

Must meet one of the following:

• 6 months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR
• Graduation from an approved school (may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and 1 year of experience with nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that gave practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques/procedures; OR
• 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 operate under all established policies, procedure, and techniques.

GS-5:

Completion of at least (1) one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, and demonstrates the following:

• 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 treatments.
• Ability to serve as a responsible nursing team member and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel involved in delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards.
• Knowledge and skill to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, 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 reporting of any noted change in status to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need 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 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:

Must have completed at least (1) one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level and demonstrates the following:

• 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, 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 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.

Reference: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The applicant may be selected for this vacancy in the grade range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.