Career Center

Summary

The incumbent performs a variety of supportive - nursing and medical tasks necessary to the care of patients during diagnostic and therapeutic visits to any ECHCS VA Primary Care Clinic location. The Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse's (LPN) practice is modeled on the standards established within the VHA model for Patient Aligned Care Teams.

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
• 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 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: 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
• GS-5 Experience
• Completion of 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-5 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 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 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 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 Experience: 1 year LPN Experience
• IV Certifications References: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Duties

• 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 incumbent's 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 patient's 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 patient's 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
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30PM Functional Statement #: 554-57289-A - 554-57290-A - 554-57291-A - & 554-57292-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required