This position is located at the Wilmington VA Clinic in Wilmington, NC. The Practical Nurse provides safe, timely and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory Care setting.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse, works under the direction of the Registered Nurse and or physician with minimal supervision and is accountable to the Clinic Nurse Manager. He/she demonstrates self-direction and critical thinking skills in carrying out simple to the most complex practical nursing care assignments for variable patient populations. He/she provides safe, timely and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory Care setting. Major Duties may include, but not limited to: Performs complex practical nursing skills 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. Demonstrates ability to use judgment to plan and organize assignments with minimal assistance and directions. Completes assignments and assists others as needed and demonstrates the ability to effectively manage patient flow to maintain timeliness of appointments. He/she is capable of initiating appropriate actions based on his/her observations of the patient's condition, seeks assistance from MD/PA/NP/RN when needed and intervenes as directed. Demonstrates the ability to recognize and initiate emergency measures (to include psychiatric emergencies) and demonstrates the ability to assist in resuscitation procedures during cardiac and respiratory arrest. Reinforces instructions given by the MD/PA/NP/RN regarding medications, pre-procedure instructions and reviews learning assessments (past initial assessment by the RN). Assists in care coordination and access for all ambulatory care through communication and placing consult per nursing protocols.- Maintains the knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures.- Demonstrates ability to effectively manage patient flow to maintain timeliness of appointments. Utilizes nursing protocols with attention to the individuality of patients, patient safety and evidence-based practice. Performs specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular) and performs treatments according to established policies and procedures. Observes for changes in patient condition, caused by medications, treatments, and procedures. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Travel: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include: (1) 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.(2) 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.(3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, 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-06: 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Preferred Experience and Certifications 2-3 years of experience as in LPN/LVN experience in Specialty or Ambulatory care unit/clinic. Basic Life Support (BLS) References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 VA Qualification Standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Requires potential long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders, must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

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 Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Therese Lowe
• Phone: 8038695875
• Email: [email protected]