The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves at the point of care for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. Under supervision from a higher grade LPN, registered nurse (RN), or Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP), the LPN provides quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population of varying complexity in a variety of settings - acute care, residential, mental health, rehabilitation, palliative, and hospice.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves at the point of care for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. Under supervision from a higher grade LPN, registered nurse (RN), or Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP), the LPN provides quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population of varying complexity in a variety of settings - acute care, residential, mental health, rehabilitation, palliative, and hospice. The LPN is accountable for adhering to established policies, procedures, standards of care and standards of practice and, for maintaining competencies consistence with role and responsibilities. The incumbent documents care in the medical record and reports observations and findings to the registered nurse and if appropriate the clinical provider. The LPN performs complex age specific nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with a variety of physical, mental, behavioral and/or psychological needs and is limited to situations demanding a degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills, according to assignment and training. The LPN engages in nursing care which requires the knowledge and skills of an individual qualified as a licensed practical nurse. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). The incumbent is expected to develop administrative, clinical and technical skills as assigned to support patient needs. In some cases, the incumbent may be asked to cover a location that is outside the assigned primary work station. The LPN applies the nursing process to systems or processes at the unit/team/work/group level to improve care. The LPN demonstrates leadership by involving others in improving care and provides age appropriate care in a culturally and ethnically sensitive manner. S/he administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Work Schedule: 07:30am - 16:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education or Training: Must be a graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant, or have you completed Health care education in the military service or training in the military service. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-4 Experience: At least (6) six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR Graduation from an approved school and have (1) 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. GS-5 Experience: Completion of at least one year at the GS-4 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN and can demonstrate the following: 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. Recognize and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6 Experience: Completion of at least one year at the GS 5 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS 5 LPN and am technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Completed work needs only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (ND/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Lifting (15-44 lbs.); Light Carrying (Under 15 lbs.); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (3 hours); Standing (3 hours); Kneeling (1 hour).

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Britany Johnson
• Phone: (909) 801-5807
• Email: [email protected]