The Licensed Practical Nurse is directly responsible to the Nurse Manager, and all nursing care is performed under the supervision of an RN.

Duties

Ensures that the physical and emotional environment Is consistent with the vision for veteran/family centered care Facilitates the admission of new patients through unit orientation, room and bed assignments and initiation of vital signs Initiates basic emergency measures In response to life-threatening situations Demonstrates ability to establish a work plan and re-prioritize plan based on changing patient care needs Utilizes established nursing care plan to provide patient care in compliance with nursing policies, procedures, and standards Constructs information for the review and revision of nursing care plans based on observation of patient's response to treatment programs Routinely identifies the patient's situation properly and performs the tasks required to resolve the patient's problem accurately and in a timely manner, following up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution Conveys a sense of respect. caring, warmth and welcome to veterans, families, visitors and other employees Serves as veteran/family advocate Safeguards veteran/family rights to privacy and confidentiality Support active participation of veterans and families in their care Individualizes care delivery respective of the unique age related safety risk factors and physiologic changes of the older adult/geriatric patient Participates in planned family and patient rehabilitative education consistently and provides appropriate feedback to reinforce the learning process Assists patients to recognize age related health risk factors and to adopt health promoting lifestyle changes Supports department during staffing emergencies, shows flexibility Contributes lo development and/or implementation of process improvement initiatives Produces acceptable work volumes and effectively meets established deadlines; works efficiently and effectively Accepts supervision and direction from the Registered Nurse Demonstrates initiative In assisting nursing staff with workload as assignment allows Participates with health care team In the identification and resolution of patient dilemmas Performs nursing tasks competently and safely Reacts promptly and appropriately to emergency situations Sets priorities in collaboration with RN and makes adjustments based on patient condition and sets deadlines for completion of care and collateral duties in collaboration with the RN and in accordance with established guidelines Administers approved medications safely and in accordance within established policy and procedures Administers selected oral, rectal, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous medications Records effectiveness of PRN, STAT, and pain medications following administration in accordance with established BCMA policy and procedure Documents pain medication effectiveness within 2 hours Observes for drug reactions and reports Reports medication errors immediately to the Charge Nurse/Team Leader and complete the appropriate documentation related to the error Monitors and maintains IV therapy with the ability to add premixed solutions to existing IV lines in accordance with established policy and procedure Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Functional Statement #: FS00022 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. 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). Grade Determination: GS-3 Licensed Practical Nurse Experience, Education and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Licensed Practical Nurse (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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 Licensed Practical Nurse Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (e) 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 Licensed Practical Nurse Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (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 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13

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 Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center One Freedom Way Augusta, GA 30901 US
• Name: Reginald Young
• Phone: 704-638-9000
• Email: [email protected]