The Licensed Practical Nurse (Primary Care) provides safe, timely and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory Care setting.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) will work within the Ambulatory/Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinics depending on their job assignment and under guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee. The LPN demonstrates knowledge, skill and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems in the outpatient setting. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes. Serves as a responsible member of the Ambulatory Care team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professionals and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. The LPN utilizes knowledge and skills to accurately complete prescribed medications and treatments and appropriately document observations and patient's response to treatments. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Role responsibilities and accountabilities also include demonstrations of knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the population related needs of patients served in the assigned area of practice. Other responsibilities include, but not limited to the following duties: Prepares, administers, and documents prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, transdermal and intradermal) according to established policies and procedures and demonstrates proficiency. Documents prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies and procedures. Documents patient's responses to medications/treatments received. Documents pertinent observations and nursing procedures performed and their effectiveness. Documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner, adhering to current policies and procedures. Demonstrates proficiency in observation and documentation of patient's vital signs, skin condition, intake, elimination, affect, sensorium, behavior, motor activity and personal needs according to established nursing procedures. Recognizes and responds appropriately in emergency situations according to established center procedures. i.e., code blue, fire, disaster, hazardous spills. Complies and adheres to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reprocessing/cleaning of Reusable Medical Equipment utilized by the clinic. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunctions or loss of equipment, supply deficiencies and fire, safety, or environmental hazards. Promptly reports to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Seeks assistance and guidance by consultation with MD/PA/NP/RN in reference to changes in patient's conditions that requires a higher level of intervention. Performs other related duties as listed in functional statement. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday (Alternate tour of duty may be required based on needs of agency) Telework: Not Available Travel: Not required Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. 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. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Preferred Experience and Certifications 2-3 years of experience as in LPN/LVN experience related to the areas of Medical/Surgical/Acute Care or Patient Aligned Care Team, Ambulatory/Primary Care/Outpatient Clinics Basic Life Support (BLS) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, 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-03 None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-04 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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-05 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications. This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies. GS-06 [(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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Proficiency 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information. Ability to observe, identify, and response to a patient's needs for care including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members and other staff. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which includes preparing the patient and 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

NOTE: Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who were converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986 are considered to have met the Education requirement. The waiver does not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.

Contacts

• Address WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Judy Moses
• Phone: (910) 853-4844
• Email: [email protected]