The Licensed Practical Nurse uses knowledge and skills to complete assigned duties which involve performing standard LPN activities at the assigned level with supervision by the Registered Nurse. Appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient's conditions; use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse uses knowledge and skills to complete assigned duties which involve performing standard LPN activities at the assigned level with supervision by the Registered Nurse. Appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient's conditions; use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Duties include but are not limited to: Demonstrate knowledge and skills sufficient to complete assigned duties/responsibilities which involve performing non-standard and specialized Licensed Practical Nurse activities which requires broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a broad range of nursing care utilizing independent decision making with minimal periodic supervision by the Registered Nurse. Recognize the need for and institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seeking assistance of the RN or provider, and assisting in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Ability to observe, identify, and respond to the patient's needs for nursing interventions and recognizes the need to consider emotional, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Report and record accurately significant patient information in the approved format. Completed work needs only a general and intermittent review by the Registered Nurse for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to established policies and procedures. Seek out education opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Serve as a self-directed, responsible, and participative member of the patient care team and to interact with patients, family members, professional, and supportive personnel who provide patient care and with members of other services. Demonstrate self-motivation in prioritizing, organizing, and performing assigned duties. Prepare and administer prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies and procedures. Observe 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 provider. Ability to observe, identify, and respond to the patient's needs for nursing interventions and recognizes the need to consider emotional, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors Demonstrate knowledge of infection control and sterile technique to safely carry out assigned duties. Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills, including verbal and nonverbal communication, to promote positive and harmonious relationships within the health care team. Ability to respond to concerns of patients and visitors in a manner that is effective and improves customer satisfaction. Treat all Veterans, and families with dignity and respect. Listen to and acknowledge Veteran and family perspectives and choices. Ensure Veteran and family knowledge, values, beliefs, and cultural customs are incorporated into the planning and delivery of care in a non-judgmental, and non-discriminatory manner. Perform a variety of nursing care activities, which include (but not limited to): vital signs, pain screening, clinical reminders, brace/splint application, ear irrigation, culture specimen collection, dressing changes, and EKG. As applicable, incumbent performs telehealth imaging, tele-dermatology, as identified and referred by the primary care provider, other providers, and the imager. Guided by local policy/standing orders, the imager can initiate consultations for patients on behalf of the primary care provider, who retains responsibility for patient care. Previous Clinic Experience is preferred but not required. Work Schedule: Full Time; Day hours; Monday - Friday with occasional Saturday 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 Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program.

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. Education. Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing (see "Education" section for additional requirements and exceptions). Transcript(s) are required at the time of application. 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Physical Standards: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).Grade Determinations: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. GS-03. None beyond the 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 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-05. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that demonstrates the following KSAs: 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 registered nurse (RN) and/or physician (MD/DO) to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs 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. 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-06. Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent that demonstrates the following KSAs: 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 RN or 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/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. 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.

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 Royal C Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital 2501 West 22nd Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 US
• Name: Melinda Kuehl
• Phone: 6057452000 X22163
• Email: [email protected]