The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a position under the discipline of Nursing/Patient Care Services at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. The LPN GS-7 has knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patientcare duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.

Duties

The incumbent serves as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). He/She is assigned to the Primary Care Clinic (PCC). The LPN/LVN-7 demonstrates a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures and can provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. LPN/LVN demonstrates independent technical judgment, without the need for readily available supervision of their work. Has a detailed working knowledge of complex practical nursing skills and procedures. Works in close coordination with the nurse manager and assistant nurse manager of PCC to ensure patient care needs are met. Is knowledgeable in leadership and team building of staff. Duties include but are not limited to: Applies the nursing process to administer holistic patient care. Competently performs all duties within the scope of licensure. Provides input to the PCC Nurse Manager for the evaluations of LPN/LVN's in the PCC. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of practices related to clinic management, documentation, and computer technology. Available as a mentor and educator to ensure standards of practice are met and staff performance in their functions within their scope of practice. Actively works with the Nurse Recruiter and PCC Nurse Manager/Assistant Nurse Manager in recruiting qualified LVN/LPN candidates for PCC. Also serves as a member of the interview panel with the PCC NM/Assistant Nurse Manager. Orients all assigned staff, evaluates educational needs, and with the Nurse Manager, institutes programs to address identified needs. Audits assigned staff to ensure monitoring of clinic supplies is accomplished. Liaison between the PC Nurse Manager and the LPN/LVN staff in regard to clinic issues and server as their representative/advocate. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs, NAs/HCTs related to support duties for more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Assumes responsibility for completing orientation and skills checklists. Open to learning new skills and new ways of doing things. Checks patients into the clinic; interviews patients and/or significant others and documents intake data as per policy. Demonstrates knowledge, skill, and ability to promptly recognize and effectively intervene in potentially urgent or emergent situations. Recognizes, reports, and documents significant, as well as subtle changes in a patient's physical condition and/or emotional condition or changes, and the patient response to treatment. Has a broad knowledge of practical nursing procedures. The Lead LPN maintains patient confidentiality at all times; and guides others to protect patient and family rights. Functions as a member of the team by participating in planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care using a focused assessment to care for the adult patient with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems within OBVAMC. Participates in providing or reinforcing effective patient education to both patients and their family in relation to disease process, medications and treatments, procedures and surgeries, equipment and devices or any education deemed necessary. Documents the effectiveness of the education. Assess life threatening conditions and initiates and/or assists with CPR or other appropriate interventions including prompt notification of an RN or MD/DO/NP. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am- 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00305-F 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. 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. Exceptions include: 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. 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. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. 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 Requirements GS-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. (b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. (c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. (f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. (g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. GS-7 Grade Requirements continued in Education section. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Appendix G13 Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent 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. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07

Education

(h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas.

(i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.

(j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.

(k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice.

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 Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Heather Caudill
• Phone: (217) 274-5442
• Email: [email protected]