The LPN is accountable for delivering patient care to the adult/geriatric patient population with a varying diagnosis and treatments. The LPN exercises judgment within the scope of training and experience. The work involves a sequence of duties requiring the employee to set priorities and determine the proper nursing procedures. Professional nurses are available for guidance, direction or clarification and interpretation when necessary.

Duties

The LPN will: 1. Ensure proper identification of patient/resident per policy before administering care. 2. Assist co-workers willingly without being asked and work well as a team member. 3. Identifying needs of patients and carrying out assignments. 4. Demonstrate keen observation skills with accurate reporting and recording of significant changes in patients' conditions and actions taken. 5. Assist with admission of a patient. 6. Recognize and communicate with NM/ designee the need for additional instructions for self and those under their direct supervision. 7. Assists in data gathering for patient education needs, suture removal wound care/dressing wound cultures, diagnostic skin testing and computerized patient data application. 8. Demonstrate the ability to utilize the computer independently, to obtain patient information and maintaining accurate input of data. 9. Treatment/exam room maintenance (infection control, supplies stocked, equipment operational). 10. Practice safety precautions according to written procedure in performance of duties when working with patients and patient's personal care devices, medication administration and unit equipment. 11. Perform duties in a safe manner to prevent patient/resident/employee accident/injury. 12. Safely operate equipment such as specialized beds, prosthetic devices and suction machines. 13. Utilize proper body mechanics, mechanical lifting devices and transfer aids when lifting and moving patient/residents to prevent injury to self and others. 14. Utilize principles of infection control, cleanliness and hand washing to assure a safe, clean environment to prevent cross infections. 15. Understand and utilize principles of Universal Precautions and type of isolation for protection of patient/residents and/or self. 16. Assist in maintaining a clean and orderly unit environment; keep supplies and equipment clean and in proper places, observe infection control guidelines, etc. He/she is expected to take personal accountability in reducing patient's risk of trips and falls by taking quick and immediate action to correct any environmental safety concerns. 17. Report faulty equipment or safety hazards. 18. Be knowledgeable and correctly utilizes the RACEE procedure during fire drills and emergency situations. Verbalizes the steps within the RACEE procedure and his/her responsibility. 19. Verbalize role of clinic/staff in a disaster including recognition of disaster alarms/notification per policy. Also recognizing alternate power sources and mechanism to use on the event of utility system failure. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Special Salary Table: V0Q2

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. Licensure. Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in any State. English Language Proficiency. Nurses appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 4105, 4114(f) and 5010(b). Grade Determinations: GS-6 level - Experience - Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05 LPN/LVN. Please make sure that each item below is addressed in detail in the body of your resume. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: In addition can demonstrate 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 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. References: A regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13 LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The LPN must be able to perform work that requires regular and recurrent walking, bending, lifting 45 pounds or more, stooping, reaching, stretching, and similar activities supporting various weights. The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This also includes frequently pushing medication carts, wheelchairs, lifts, and beds. LPN must be able to care for Veterans with various medical and psychiatric issues. At times, these Veterans exhibit unpredictable behavior. LPN must be able to work closely with others, have sufficient hearing to respond to various alarms, and must be able to communicate verbal and in writing. He/she will make caring for the veteran his/her priority while in the work setting and demonstrate customer service principles in all aspects of work. The LPN is subject to exposure to communicable diseases. The use of personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves and protective clothing is required. The LPN will have exposure to biohazard materials and sharps.

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 James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: Sheila Anderson-Welcome
• Phone: 726-610-5259
• Email: [email protected]