The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the nursing and treatment teams in planning and implementing a full range of practical nursing care for veterans at the Longview Outpatient Clinic. He/she provides complex age-specific and population specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients or outpatients with physical, mental, behavioral or psychosocial needs, according to assignment and training.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Provides for the patient's privacy and safety. Assists with data collection for outpatients and new admissions. Observes, reports and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition. Actively contributes to nursing and/or interdisciplinary team conferences, exchanging information about patient needs and condition, and assists in the nursing management of patients with complex problems. Provides input into the development, implementation and evaluation of the Nursing Care Plan and/or the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care. Bathing, showering, oral care, shaving, feeding, turning and positioning, and ambulating. Identify/apply age specific considerations, e.g. the geriatric population is prone to dry skin, and requires lubrication, etc. Performs work in a safe manner providing a safe environment for patients, self and other staff, for example, using universal precautions, isolation procedures, and body mechanics. Recognizes and reports potentially hazardous. Following competency verification, performs phlebotomy. Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g. blood, sputum, urine, stool. Performing enterostomal care, perineal care, administering enemas and colostomy irrigations. Providing bowel/bladder training, applying external urinary devices, performing bladder catheterization. Transcribes doctor's orders as per Medical Center policies and procedures (specific units). Performs narcotic count as per policy/procedure and immediately notifies the Charge RN of discrepancies. Administers oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous medications. Administers immunizations Independently upon completion of Immunization competency. Observes, reports and documents patient's Response to medication including adverse reactions and possible medication errors. Following competency verification, initiates intravenous therapy and monitors for prescribed rate, patency, infiltration and/or extravasation. Discontinues intravenous infusion when directed by the RN or the physician. Documents and reports findings. Changes peripheral IV and saline lock dressings; changes IV solution administration sets following established protocols; adds maintenance IV fluids (as approved) via mini-bags, prepared by pharmacy, through an existing peripheral line/saline lock. Changes central line/PICC line dressings utilizing sterile technique. Provides patient teaching and documents patient health education appropriately. Assuring presence of signed informed consent. Assisting with physical examinations. Assembling supplies and equipment for medical procedures. Setting up and passing instruments using aseptic and/or sterile technique. Monitoring patient's condition and providing follow up care. Caring for, maintaining, and ordering supplies and equipment, including reporting equipment malfunctions. Collaborates with team members to formulate and implement age-specific and population-specific care plans for patients with alterations in body image/self-concept, self-esteem or role performance. Evaluates and documents results based on subjective and objective observations. Assumes initiative and responsibility for completing recurring assignments and, when necessary, assists co-workers in completion of their assignments. Assists in the orientation of nursing assistants and other staff to provide a positive working environment. Provides leadership to nursing assistants in the direction of improved patient care. Assumes responsibility for personal development by attending in-services, completing mandatory annual training and unit-specific competencies and utilization of current nursing research. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 6:45am- 7:15pm (six 12 hour shifts and one 8 hour shift per pay period) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00037-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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: Must have graduated from a school of practical nursing approve 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. 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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license GS-4: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR (b) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5: (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the required experience, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (b) 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) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) 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-6 Grade Requirements continued in Education section. (a) 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. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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. (d)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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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. (j)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, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling one (1) hour; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking seven (7) hours; standing seven (7) hours; kneeling 1/2 hour; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing without aid; mental/emotional stability. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6

Education

Education 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 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.

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]