Practical Nurse/ Vocational Nurse - Specialty Care

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

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (PTO)

Parental leave

Federal retirement benefits

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs in Florida is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to provide patient-centered care under the supervision of RNs and physicians. The role includes administering medications, assisting with procedures, and educating patients and families.

Responsibilities span clinical and administrative tasks, including charting in CPRS/BCMA, coordinating patient schedules, and supporting a multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, effective care

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required.
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) eligibility and licensure in the United States.
• Experience level is determined by GS equivalent levels as described in VA standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist in identifying problems and formulating patient-centered plans with the interprofessional team.
• Provide education to patients and families about care plans and medications.
• Participate in nursing rounds and documentation using CPRS/BCMA as required by policy.
• Prepare rooms and equipment for procedures and maintain sterile technique.
• Support triage calls and patient queries; adapt to varying work demands.

Skills

English proficiency

US citizenship

Education

Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program

Job description

Summary

The LPN is responsible for upholding the philosophy - mission - and value statements of the medical center and objectives of the nursing profession. The LPN/ LVN is expected to participate in the development of patient-centered care plans and begin to establish patient care standards in all aspects of parctice.

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
• Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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 OR Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986.OR Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements
• 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-04 - Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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-05 - Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• 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
• 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
• GS-06 - 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
• 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 a 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Completion of 2 yers direct patient care experience IV certification preferred 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 includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 LPN/LVN physical standards.

Duties

• The LPN assists in the identification of problems and formulation of goals - outcomes - and patient-centered plans of care that are developed in collaboration with patients - their families - and the interprofessional team
• The LPN can participate in implementing established teaching plans and providing education to patients and their family
• Duties include but are not limited to Demonstrates ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts 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
• Enter orders using the approved Nursing Protocols ( Hold to Sign) in response to identified patient needs
• Orders may include labs - procedures such as EKG's and Chest X-rays
• Uses the Computerized Patient Record System {CPRS) - and Bar-Coded Medication Administration {BCMA) - software per policy
• Complete chart and scheduling reviews for the following day ( scrubbing) with minimal supervision
• Performs a wide range of clinical and administrative functions daily - including but not limited to completing Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSR-S) - conducting patient data intakes - and answering secure messages - multi-level patient tracking - schedule preparation (scrubbing) - and reinforcing patient education
• Independently prepare the room and equipment for sterile procedures - follow the Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) policy and procedures with non-reusable and stainless-steel instrumentation and scope handling
• Assists with triage telephone calls/messages from patients and face-to-face visits
• Flexible in adapting to work demands and numerous assignments
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or others related to support duties
• Demonstrates ability to solve problems and function independently
• Performs other related duties as needed or assigned to support the functions of the service as assigned by the Nurse Manager
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55697F - 55698F - 55699F - 55700F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service
• The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees
• The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position
• For more information - refer to Required Documents below
• If you are a current federal employee - you are required to attach your Most Recent non-award SF-50
• This should be SF-50 from the current calendar year which shows your current position - grade and step
• Award SF-50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted.