Practical Nurse

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Documents appropriate information in the patient record and reports and significant deviations to the RN and/or provider.
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes medication and/or prescribed treatment regimes.
• Recognizes the need for and institutes cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures when indicated in accordance with established medical center policy and procedure. Independently performs coordinating duties related to the operation of the clinic such as ordering and maintaining supplies and medications and obtaining patient data.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment safety hazards and supply deficiencies promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Performs other assignments designated by the RN or clinic providers which are essential to patient care and appropriate to the incumbents level of training.
• Uses motivational interviewing techniques to guide patients to establish goals. The incumbent practices within their nursing scope of practice and functional level demonstrating and promoting the mission of the VA and ICARE values.
• Set up or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment as applicable for all equipment for which you have been trained.
• Performs all unit specific nursing interventions and procedures to include but not limited to: Understand and implement the PACT model PACT Protocols PACT handbook VHA 1101.10(1) implements and documents education provided to patients and families.
• Delivers safe care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice VHA Directives and local policies.
• Safely and effectively uses patient care equipment. Reports equipment in need of repair.
• Correctly and safely performs nursing procedures or seeks help when needed.
• Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients condition and responds appropriately.
• Responsible for timely implementation of orders and nursing interventions.
• Requests assistance from co-workers when needed; knows when to ask for help.
• Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments using the nursing process based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
• Completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed.
• Assesses patients learning needs learning preference and readiness to learn.
• Develops and implements a plan to meet learning needs instructing patients and families in basic health teaching and discharge planning.
• Evaluates and documents patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of goals and expected outcomes.
• Revises plan of care according to evaluations of patients responses and outcomes.
• Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and the Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy.
• Treats all patients and families with dignity and respect. Listens to and honors patient and family perspectives and choices. Patient and family knowledge values beliefs and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care in a non-judgmental non-discriminatory manner (Patient and Family Centered Care).
• Maintains professional boundaries with patients families and employees. Behavior as a role model is transparent and above reproach.
• Other Duties as assigned. Location of Work: May be assigned to any ECHCS VA Primary Care Clinic.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed.
• Education. Candidates must be a 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.
• Licensure. Candidates must posses 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. 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.

• None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license however completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved.

• 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.
• 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 to operate in accordance with all established policies procedure and techniques.

• Experience. Candidates must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). The following KSAs are required at the GS-4 grade level for the LPN.
  • 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 patients response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patients 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.

• Experience. Candidates must have completed at least (1) one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meet all performance requirements for the GS 5 LPN.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): The following KSAs are required at the GS-6 grade level for the LPN.
  • 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 patients needs for care including medication equipment-assisted care and patient/family 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 patients 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 patients 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.