The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. They perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

Duties

Focuses on clinic visits; reviews daily schedules for patient care needs, keeps clinician on schedule, ensures visit closure. Accurately collects all pertinent information and documents on the patient database. Observes, recognizes, reports and responds appropriately to physical, emotional, and behavioral changes Recognizes deviations from the norm and acts immediately, by consulting with the RN and documents findings Prioritizes and reorganizes workload based on clinic needs. Independently and consistently recognizes co-worker's need for assistance and offers appropriate help. Demonstrates good judgment in decision making with minimal guidance. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to recognize emergency situations and seeks assistance and initiates appropriate interventions. Completes: vital signs, appropriate clinical reminders, orders per clinician protocol, nursing part of medication reconciliation, provides immunizations and patient education. Observes, identifies and responds to the patient's need for care, medication, equipment assisted care, and patient/family education. Recognizes and considers emotional cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and age related factors. Contributes to the development of the Nursing Care Plan. Modifies patient care plans considering physical, emotional, and social factors. Participates in both nursing and interdisciplinary team conferences for patient care. Contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan. Actively supports the team concept and functions as a facilitator of the team concept/team leader. Contributes to team initiatives and continuously strives to improve the effectiveness of the teams to which they are assigned Demonstrates the knowledge and skills in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments. Adheres to Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures. Provides a variety of physical and/or behavioral nursing care duties which include but are not limited to: assisting with activities of Daily Living (ADL) i.e., bathing, toileting, ambulating, feeding, positioning, assists with oral hygiene care; takes vital signs, measures intake and output, height and weight, leads nursing groups and clinic level therapeutic activities (if applicable to clinical setting/unit). Upon successful completion of certification and when assigned: initiates and monitors IV sites. Changes peripheral IV dressings. Hangs and monitors large volume premixed IV fluids and IV medication piggybacks. Monitors large volume IV infusions. Discontinues peripheral IV access. All of the above to be done according to established policies and procedures (if applicable to clinical setting/unit). Administers and records oral, topical, rectal, IV and/or injectable medications, including controlled substances, adhering to medication administration policies and procedures (if applicable to clinical setting/unit). Observes, reports and documents patient's response to medications including side effects, adverse or allergic reactions. Assumes responsibilities in the area of patient education: Reinforces patient health education in relation to common disease processes, medication and or treatment regimes. Provides patients with health education materials and directs patients to appropriate resources available in the Medical Center. Provides instructions to patient for planned procedures and explains the rationale for specific patient preparation. Performs complex technical procedures utilizing sterile and/or aseptic technique. i.e.: oral, laryngeal and tracheal suctioning, changing dressings, administration of oxygen, colostomy care and change, decubitus care/wound care (Stage I, II, III & IV), NG/PEG feedings, respiratory treatments, phlebotomy, EKG/ECG glucose meter monitoring (if applicable to clinical setting/unit). Independently leads therapeutic nursing groups and clinic level therapeutic activities. Accurately documents on each patient's group interactions. Work Schedule: 8 Hour days, 12 hr. Days and 12 hr. nights, alternating weekends Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: No Travel: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): No

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. Grade Determinations: 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 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. (b) Demonstrated 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) 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. GS-06 (Full Performance Level): In addition to the basic requirements stated above the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.GS-6 (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. Preferred Experience and Certifications Geriatric Extended/Long term Care IV Certificate

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 West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33410 US
• Name: Shanika Early
• Phone: 727-398-6661
• Email: [email protected]