The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is administratively responsible and accountable to the Nurse Manager (NM) /designee. The LPN is accountable for delivering patient care to the adult geriatric patient population with a varying diagnosis and treatments. The LPN carries out assignments under the direction and with minimum supervision of the registered nurse (RN). The LPN is assigned duties that require a high degree of skills and accuracy in performing technical procedures.

Duties

Performs direct patient care activities, as appropriate to assignment, (includes, but is not limited to): Carries out assignments under the direction and with minimum supervision of the registered nurse (RN). Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Demonstrates the ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age/population related needs of the Veterans served in his/her assigned service area. Functions in collaboration with the registered nurse in identifying needs of patients and carrying out assignments. Functions as one-to-one nurse in Primary Care under the direct supervision of the NM/designee. Performs duties in a safe manner to prevent patient/resident/employee accident/injury. Utilizes principles of infection control, cleanliness, and hand washing to assure a safe, clean environment to prevent cross infections. Recognizes and reports acute changes in patient conditions to the provider and documents observations appropriately. Maintains a good rapport with patient/residents, families, volunteers, visitors, and co-workers. Reviews his/her contributions to nursing care and establishes goals for personal/professional development with assistance of NM or Education/Staff Development. Recognizes and communicates with NM/team leader and/or designee the need for additional instructions for self and those under their direct supervision. Safely operates equipment such as specialized beds, prosthetic devices, and suction machines. Demonstrates the ability to utilize the computer independently, for obtaining patient information, and maintaining accurate input of data. Perform duties in a safe manner to prevent patient/resident/employee accident/injury. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (Day shift) Compressed/Flexible:Not Applicable Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000/Licensed Practical Nurse Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required for this position

Requirements

Qualifications

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: 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. Licensure. Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in any State. Education. Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 | Atlanta, GA 30326 Or from the http://www.nlnac.org/ACEN web site. All applicants must verify that the program where you received your Nursing Degree is accredited by checking to see if it is listed on either the state agency approved list or the ACEN list (see below) in order to meet the basic qualification requirements. If your educational degree program is not listed on one of these websites and the program was accredited at the time you graduated, you will need to submit additional written documentation from one of these agencies or from the Director of the Nursing program of your school as proof of accreditation by the ACEN or the State. Your college transcripts are not proof of this documentation.***The Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc.(ACEN), located at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 | Atlanta, GA 30326 or call (404) 975-5000. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs. Additional information may be obtained from the ACEN. http://www.acenursing.org/ . To Verify State Nursing Board: Google - State Nursing Board of _______(the state in which the school is located) and then look for the Board of Nursing approved LPN schools. 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 LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment. The education requirement is waived for VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. Grade Determinations: Experience - Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05 LPN/LVN. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: In addition can demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. 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: A regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13 LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. Physical Requirements: The LPN must be able to perform work that requires regular and recurrent walking, bending, lifting 45 pounds or more, stooping, reaching, stretching, and similar activities supporting various weights. The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This also includes frequently pushing medication carts, wheelchairs, lifts, and beds. The LPN must be able to care for Veterans with various medical and psychiatric issues. At times, these Veterans exhibit unpredictable behavior. The LPN must be able to work closely with others, have sufficient hearing to respond to various alarms, and must be able to communicate verbally and in writing. They will make caring for the Veteran their priority while in the work setting, and demonstrate customer service principles in all aspects of work. The LPN is subject to exposure of communicable diseases. The use of personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves, facial/eye protection, and protective clothing is required. The LPN will have exposure to biohazard materials and sharps on a routine basis.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: Celena Smith
• Email: [email protected]