Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a member of a high functioning Women's Health Team delivering patient care to the Veterans of the Salem Virginia VA Medical Center, in the Practical Nurse-Women's Health Clinic. The LPN works directly with patients, VA Staff, Non-VA Care providers and Organizations, Radiology Departments, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, and the Women Veterans Program Manager to achieve seamless care, and facilitate patient satisfaction.

Duties

The LPN makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the Veteran's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing the Registered Nurse (RN) or medical provider of changes in the Veteran's condition requiring higher-level intervention. performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care in the Primary Care clinics. Major duties include, but not limited to: Provides Oxygen Therapy (based on PACT protocols); administers medication: oral, intramuscular, and subcutaneous. Collects vital sign data, height and weight. Prepares the Veteran for the PCP appointment. Addresses clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated.Checks expiration dates of medicines and supplies. Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning Veteran, ensuring comfort and privacy. Monitors Veteran during the procedure; and ear irrigations. Collects Lab specimen (i.e., nasal swabs, throat swabs, and blood collection). Responds and documents on view alerts in a timely manner within 24 hours and within their scope of practice to include collecting data, documenting all required pertinent data, and seeking higher level of care if necessary. Tracks and completes the Veterans' Fecal lmmunochemical Testing (FIT) with a goal of greater than 90% compliance for their prospective Veteran panels. Completes of all clinical reminders during each Veteran encounter. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication. Performs complex practical nursing measures with precision and efficiency, consistent with Medical Center policy and procedure within the legal and ethical responsibilities of his/her licensure as a LPN. Performs nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill to resolve a range of nursing problems Recognizes urgent or emergent Veteran situations, seeks assistance, and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. Provides Veteran and family health education, to include self-management, prevention, and wellness. Assists in the orientation and competency validation of students, peers, and clerical staff. Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal Veteran information. Coordinates communications during the in Veteran to out Veteran discharge interface. Communicates with VA and non-VA medical offices/facilities to coordinate care. Completes PACT post discharge calls for their prospective teams if the RN is not available. Provides safe and individualized nursing care to Veterans with changing complex physiological and/ or emotional needs. Performs documentation to standards established by the VHA, VISN, and facility leadership to help in meeting benchmarks for performance indicators to include, but not limited to: Completes the Veteran intake documentation upon check-in to the clinic. Completes Immunization Notes used for all vaccinations. Assesses and documents the Veterans' pain to include documentation on the CPRS cover page (i.e., Vital Signs) and within the intake assessment note. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000Relocation/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: 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: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth 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 stated above the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements listed aboveGS-4:Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5:Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. 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. 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. 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. 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. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. 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: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Women's Health (WH) References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G-13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard dated April 10, 2003.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. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling; Pulling hand overhand; Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers, both hands required; Walking; Standing; Kneeling; Repeated bending, both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors; Hearing without aid; Hearing whispers; Mental and Emotional Stability.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Tammy Myrie
• Phone: 901-663-6722
• Email: [email protected]