The Licensed Practical Nurse provides safe and individualized nursing care to the Specialty clinic setting. He/she can interact and collaborate effectively with patients, families, other health care and supportive personnel. He/she can initiate appropriate actions based on his/her observations of the patient's conditions. He/she requires minimum of supervision and performs the function with skill and effectiveness. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD.

Duties

Serves as a member of a nursing team with an assigned patient load of selected critically ill patients. Employee is responsible for patients from admission to discharge and has considerable knowledge, experience and skill for concentrated effort and self-motivation to carry out patient care assignments. Observes patients' changing conditions and participates in updating patient care plans throughout the tour consistent with recognized nursing standards and in accordance with appropriate nursing care and prescribed medical treatment. Enters information about the patient's condition, an assessment of the patient's condition and a plan of action to carry out nursing care. Supports the patient and/or family members in the integration of the patient care plan toward the achievement of discharge objectives. Provides instructions to patient on preoperative and postoperative procedures which were previously provided to the patient by the nurse or the doctor. After surgery, assists and instructs patients on how to keep lungs clear. Instructs patient on how equipment is used (oxygen, suction or respirator). Before discharge, instructs patient and family on use of prescribed medications, contraindications of medications and the value of proper follow up self-care. Performs a range of treatment procedures that includes using hot and cold packs; extensive sterile dressing changes; giving enemas; monitoring intravenous fluids, inserting catheter, inserting nasal gastric tubes, passing medications; caring for patients in isolation; and setting up and giving treatments that require auxiliary equipment such as oxygen, suction and respirator. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties which includes taking vital signs, taking specimens, calling the laboratory for lab reports, recording lab reports given over the telephone, and assisting the doctor in a variety of diagnostic examinations such as lumbar punctures, liver biopsies, and bone marrow examinations by positioning patients and setting out and passing instruments. Observes and documents all pertinent data regarding the physical and emotional status of patients. Promptly assesses and takes actions to alleviate problems reflected in subtle changes in the patient's condition such as dizziness or slight rise in temperature. Makes careful observations to assure that nursing procedures and treatments are not causing additional distress. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 800am - 430pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Practical Nurse/000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not require

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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). - 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 Accrediting Commission (for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accrediting Commission FOR Education in Nursing. Licensure. Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. 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: GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements listed above. GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN. 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. 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-04 level or equivalent and demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Demonstrates 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) according 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. Demonstrates the ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professionals and 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. GS-06: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the LPN. 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; Ability 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 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 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: Outpatient Experience Primary Care Experience Home Care Experience Long-Term Care Experience References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 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. Physical Requirements: Applicants must possess the ability to do the following: heavy lifting and carrying, 45 pounds and over; pulling, pushing and reaching above the shoulder; walking, standing, kneeling and repeated bending.

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: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]