The Surgical Outpatient LPN practices within Patient Care Services for the Montana VA Health Care System Specialty Clinic in Billings and supports the mission and vision of Patient Care Services and the Healthcare System. The Specialty Care LPN serves adult and elderly Veterans needing Specialty Care Services. Specialties supported by this LPN include orthopedics, podiatry, general surgery, urology, gynecology, neurology, tele-health and other specialty services as needed.

Duties

The Surgical Outpatient GS LPN practices within Patient Care Services for the Montana VA Health Care System Specialty Clinic in Billings and supports the mission and vision of Patient Care Services and the Healthcare System. The Specialty Clinic LPN serves adult and elderly Veterans needing Specialty Care Services. Provides full range of practical nursing care for the clinic including; effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to medication, prescribed treatment regimens, and chronic care management; interacts with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in delivery of patient care. Prepares, administers, and appropriately documents actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications as permitted by approved local policy; documents all observations, treatments and nursing care provided in the computer record. Recognizes the need for and to institute emergency measures, when indicated, promptly seeking assistance of RN or MD, recognizes and responds to breakage/malfunction of equipment, safety hazards, supply deficiencies, stays competent in the safe use and cleaning of non-critical RME; assists in maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient centered environment. Specialties supported by this LPN include orthopedics, podiatry, general surgery, urology, gynecology, neurology and other specialty services as needed. The LPN will function as a nursing team member within the scope of practice determined by licensure and Healthcare System policy and procedure standards. He/she uses standardized procedures in the observation and care of the ill and provides health promotion and patient teaching under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Demonstrates 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. Interacts and communicates appropriately to establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feeling 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. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes, as well as specialty concerns. Reacts to stress of self and others with self-control and appropriate behavior. Projects a positive image of the VA. Contributes to team cohesion with judicious use of leave. Interacts with hospital employees and visitors in a cooperative and professional manner. Initiates and completes appropriate reports for patient and employee incidents. Works with the RN/MD to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs in relation to acceptable standards or practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e., respect, civility, ability to accept constructive feedback). Maintains a work environment that honors diversity. Demonstrates, adheres to, and promotes safe practices including: Use of infection control equipment (Personal Protective Equipment), infection control policies/procedures, and universal precautions. Use of proper body mechanics and safety equipment i.e., lifts. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss or equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action and following up to assure correction of problem. Recognizes and reports patient, employee, and/or visitor incidents per procedure/policy. Provides safe care and conserves resources effectively. Adheres to all requirements in regard to reusable medical equipment. Utilizes equipment and supplies according to manufacturer and safety policies and procedures and assists others to do so. Checks ongoing expiration dates of medications and supplies. Adheres to policies and procedures related to fire and disaster drills, and security measures. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 57956-A, 57957-A, 57958-A & 57959-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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. BLS: BLS certification is required. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) http://www.nlnac.org (copy of transcripts required OR 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. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements, candidates must meet requirements for each grade level applied for as outlined below: GS-03: None beyond basic requirements. GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR, Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience. 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-05: Requires at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. In addition the following criteria must be met: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel 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: Requires at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN. In addition the following criteria must be met: 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 patient' conditions. Ability to observe, identify, and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Prepare and administer prescribed medication (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. Establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication, and socialization skills. 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. Actively seek 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, dated April 2003. 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. Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning and transferring patients. Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern. Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Tameka Snowden
• Phone: 4128223904
• Email: [email protected]