The Licensed Practical Nurse provides specialized, skilled and individualized practical nursing care to all levels of patients including most complex patients who are acutely ill and/or chronically ill. Care is provided to patients who exhibit a variety of most complex physical and/or behavioral problems. This position will service the Wilmington VA Medical Center.

Duties

The Clinical Associate /LPN will initiate appropriate actions based upon the plan of care and his/her observations of the patients' condition under the supervision of the registered nurse and/or physician and utilizes independent critical thinking. He/s he can vary the order and sequence of assigned work and use judgment in selecting most appropriate actions. Completed work needs only a general review for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments. The LPN GS 6 is considered a technical expert once position specific competent. RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Performs complex practical nursing care with precision and efficiency, consistent with Medical Center policy and procedure and within the legal and ethical responsibilities of his/her licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Performs specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad clinical experience and demonstrated skills sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems. b. Provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients with changing complex physiological and/or emotional needs. He/she will take into consideration the patient's age related abilities associated with mobility, nutrition, mentation, hygiene, continence, psychosocial status and cultural needs. c. Will act urgently if needed and report changes in patient's condition and other significant observations to an appropriate team member in a timely manner and documents appropriately in the medical record. d. Maintains confidentiality. e. Assists with patient and family/significant other teaching under the supervision of the registered nurse. Identifies learning needs, suggests ways to meet identified needs, implements and evaluates the teaching plan in conjunction with other staff. f. Fully participates in the clinic process. Gathers data as assigned by the RN and communicates this data verbally and/or in writing according to established procedures. g. Performs a full range of complex treatments and procedures, ordered treatments and procedures, according to Medical Center policy/procedures, e.g. uroflow studies, EKG, phlebotomy, administration of immunizations, and other medications as ordered by providers. h. Reviews and completes medications orders. Prepares, administers and documents medications with an understanding to medication actions, side effects, adverse reactions and contraindication following Medical Center policies/procedures. Performs intradermal tuberculin testing. i. Establishes constructive interpersonal relationships with patients and families/significant others. Establishes professional relationships with members of other disciplines and with support personnel who provide patient care. Uses effective communication skills. Uses knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to events in dealing with others in difficult situations and promotes positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Works to establish team building. j. Recognizes and responds appropriately in emergency situations according to established center procedures; for example, codes, fire, disaster, hazardous spills, rapid response and abuse. k. Fully participates as a member of the specialty clinic team providing patient care. Contributes to the specialty department in promoting patient wellness through education and referrals and encouraging patient participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence. l. Uses the computer to access patient information and enters patient information accurately and appropriately. m. Performs work in a safe manner and as a result provides a safe environment for patients, self and others. For example, using universal precautions, Ebolareviews and body mechanics. Recognizes and reports potentially hazardous environmental condition. n. Maintains a safe and clean patient environment including light housekeeping duties, restocking, care and handling of RME, and other cleaning as assigned. o. Presents in-services as learning needs are identified. p. Participates in work groups, teams and /or committees and supports the Center QM/QI activities and organizational goals. Collects data to support any unit PI projects. q. Maintains knowledge of the correct care of pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment (RME). r. All other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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: Written and Spoken Physical Standards: All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required. 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. 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. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Preferred Experience: 2- 3 years' experience preferred- outpatient ambulatory clinics Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-6 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. 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. PHYSICAL DEMANDS All Licensed practical and vocational nurses, and graduate nurse technicians are required to undergo a pre-employment physical within 90 days prior to appointment. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, and stooping, stretching, or similar activities. Works also requires transporting items such as supplies, papers, books, and equipment on a regular and recurring 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 Wilmington VA Medical Center 1601 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE 19805 US
• Name: Victoria Williams
• Phone: 2026325875
• Email: [email protected]