Career Center

The practical nurse 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. Applicants pending the 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens) Education. Must be a graduate of practical nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. 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. Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Licensure. Full, current, active and unrestricted licensure as a graduate licensed practical nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. Physical Standards. All applicants must meet physical requirements for this position. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3. 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-4 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN, OR Graduation from an approved school 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-5 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 NAs/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 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Functions require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting less than 35 pounds, stooping, stretching and similar activities. The employee may be scheduled to work varying hours of duty and may, on occasion, be assigned to other patient care areas. ["Duties Include but are not limited to: Maintaining positive patient/family/staff relationships by utilizing appropriate communication skills. Assisting in the collection and documentation of objective and subjective data relative to more complex patient situations. Participating in patient centered conferences/shift reports, and contributing information for the development and review of nursing's plan of care. Collaborating with the Registered Nurse in developing, selecting the appropriate sequence of procedures and implementing a plan of care individualized to carry out the nursing needs of the patient. Providing competent patient care in a manner which insures safety to patient, staff, visitors and self and seeking direction as necessary. Maintaining a clean, safe and therapeutic environment and reporting potential and actual hazards to the registered nurse. Adhering to all safety and health standards, regulations, and work practices. Organizing and obtaining routine supplies and equipment for patient care delivery. Performing and/or assisting in all aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs. These needs include: Psychosocial/Spiritual well being Personal Hygiene Physical Comfort and privacy Activity, exercise, rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of skin breakdown Rehabilitation aspects of care Safety Recognizing emergent situations and initiating appropriate intervention. Initiates CPR when indicated and maintains BLS certification. Providing a full range of practical nursing care as appropriate to area of assignment. Administering selected medications, including psychotropic drugs, seeking clarification of orders as necessary. Identifying the need for PRN medications and recognizing, reporting and documenting effects of medications. Documenting administration of all medications in the Medical Record following established policies. Documenting the response to prn medications in the Medical Record according to policy and procedure. Assisting with monitoring prescribed therapies (e.g. oxygen therapy), and implementation of the treatment program Recording pertinent information in the medical record, and reporting patient status to a registered nurse. Documenting patient/family/significant other teaching and their response to the teaching. Assisting in orienting patients/family/staff to unit routines and pertinent VAWNYHS and Network 2 policies. Working as a cooperative and courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. 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 in the implementation of the unit's quality improvement program. Following established safety practices and reporting to the supervisor, as promptly as possible, any occupational illness or injury which is sustained. Completes all mandatory requirements and appropriate competencies before the due date for the areas in which they are assigned. Maintains professional boundaries with patients, families and other staff at all times. Applying relevant growth and development processes when treating and caring for age-specific veterans. Identifying physical, social, psychological, cultural needs of veterans in: Young Adulthood (18-39) Identifies the need for self-esteem, acceptance of chosen life-style. Middle Adulthood (40-64) Identifies situational changes that have an impact on health maintenance. Young Old Adulthood (65-74) Assists individuals to keep physically active. Middle Old Adulthood (75-84) Identifies decreased sensory-spatial functions. Old Old Adulthood (85+) Provides for or supports independence while being assisted with self-care. Work Schedule: Full-Time Days/Evenings/Nights.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]