Summary

The Western New York VA Medical Center is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse to work on the Geriatric and Extended Care (GEC) Team - Spruce Lodge at the Batavia Location. The Licensed Practical Nurse works under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse and displays knowledge and ability in providing a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.

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
• 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
• 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
• 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)
• 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: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below
• (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or (b) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-5: (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• (b) 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
• (c) 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
• (d) 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
• (e) 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.(f) 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: (a) 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
• (b) Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• (c) 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
• (d) 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
• (e) 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
• (f) 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
• (g) 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
• (h) 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
• (i) 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
• (j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• 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. Preferred Experience: Pervious Long term care experience preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing and sitting - frequent bending - walking (distance) - climbing - reaching (overhead - extensive/repetitive) - pulling - pushing - repetitive motion and stooping
• The mental/sensory requirements include recall - reasoning - problem-solving - hearing - speaking clearly - writing legibly - keyboarding - reading and logical thinking - depth perception - hearing (aide permitted)
• near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements
• The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities - frequent - sometimes intense customer interactions - and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment
• There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease - illness and hazardous materials
• Work requires extensive walking - standing - stretching and bending in caring for patients.

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse and displays knowledge and ability in providing a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems at the Batavia VAMC
• The LPN serves as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care - and with members of other services
• The LPN functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team - participates in providing holistic care to patients in acute - sub-acute or chronic stages of illness with changing nursing needs that are predictable and require periodic assessment by the registered nurse
• The incumbent carries out all functions and duties outlined for the practical nurse - but on a regular and recurring basis performs aspects of nursing care that require a basic understanding of the total patient program - understanding of simple scientific facts and principles - a broad spectrum of technical skills - adaptation of procedures to meet individual patient needs - and recognition of the relatedness of patients' behavior and physical condition
• The duties include - but are not limited to: Establishing positive patient/family/staff relationships by utilizing appropriate communication skills
• Assisting in the collection and documentation of routine objective and subjective data relative to uncomplicated patient situations
• Assisting and maintaining a clean - safe - and therapeutic environment
• Adhering to all safety and health standards - regulations - and work practices
• Providing competent patient care in a manner which ensures safety to patients - staff - visitors - and self - and seeking direction as needed
• Assisting with simple diagnostic measures - including collection of urine and stool specimens - and collecting and/or testing any other specimens as instructed
• Assisting with appropriate actions in emergency situations
• initiating CPR when indicated
• Maintains BLS certification
• Performing routine treatments relevant to area of assignment
• Administering selected medications to a number of patients and seeking clarification of orders as necessary
• Identifying the need for PRN medications - recognizing and reporting effects of medication
• Documenting the administration of all medications in the Medical Record following established policies
• Documenting the response to PRN medications in the medical record
• Recording basic information in the medical record and reporting patient status to RN
• Documenting patient/family/significant other teaching and their response to the teaching
• Displaying respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the patient unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status - personal attributes - or nature of health problems
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• Assisting with the implementation of the quality improvement program at the unit level
• Maintains professional boundaries with patients - families - and other staff at all times
• Work Schedule: Full-Time
• Variable Night Tour (7:30 pm - 8:00 am) Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance)
• Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 11172-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf 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)