The License Practical Nurse (LPN) is directly responsible to the Registered Nurse (RN) for carrying out identified responsibilities within the scope of their education and employment. The LPN demonstrates sufficient knowledge and skills necessary to resolve a range of nursing problems. Provides care on a regular and recurring basis. The knowledge and patient complexity of this position include a variety of uncomplicated patient-centered physical and behavioral intervention competencies.

Duties

** If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply CBST-12222979-24-TB ** Duties include but are not limited to: Implements orders and provides care to a variable patient population. They are responsible for direct patient care activities under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Assignment/s with supplemental verbal instructions that are given by the RN. The LPN seeks guidance from the RN when difficulty is encountered with the assignment. Completes more complex procedure or practice that may be subjected to a closer or higher-level review. They perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, including preparing patients, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instrument or other equipment, and monitoring patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. (i.e. breathalyzer and urine drug screens). Observes, identifies, and responds to patient's need for care, including medication, equipment- assisted care, patient/family education, and oral/written documentation in accordance with policy, procedures, and guideline. They prepare/administer prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, and intramuscular). Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications or other therapeutic treatments promptly and accurately annotating deviations from normal to the RN and/or Medical Provider. Adheres to the agency requirement for reporting medication errors, reactions, and side effects immediately. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs Participates actively in performance improvement and quality assurance activities on the unit. They must be poise, articulate and culturally competent in communicating with people of varied educational level and ethnic backgrounds and willing to work cooperatively as a member of the team in every assignment. Competent in leading educational groups for veterans. Contributes to team initiatives and continuously strives to improve the effectiveness of the team(s) to which they are assigned. Personal Leave is well planned so as to have little effect on unit coverage. ** Expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. ** Relates therapeutically with patients on a 1:1 basis according to their needs and the plan of care. They will manage, and track patient care tasks and needs in the electronic health record, to include developing and responding to clinical reminders. Works independently to ensure smooth operations of the unit and safety of the Veterans and staff when the supervising RN is not directly on the unit. They are technically proficient with Microsoft software packages (including Word, Excel, Outlook, and OneDrive), and able to adapt and navigate the computerized, cloud based, and virtual systems of the modern healthcare environment. Work Schedule: 8 or 12hour rotating shifts days, nights, holidays, and weekends Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 502-00501-F 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. Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education: Must be a graduate of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. License: Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. Exceptions include: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Grade Determinations: GS7: completion of at least one 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.In addition to the experience level above the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are required: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. 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. 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. 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level). Preferred Experience: (1) One year of mental health or residential treatment program experience (2) More than two years in Emergency Room (ER) (3) Long-term care and rehabilitation care environment References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing.

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 Alexandria VA Medical Center 2495 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 US
• Name: Teri Bankhead
• Phone: 2057719942
• Email: [email protected]