The Licensed Practical Nurse position is within Patient Care Services for the Montana VA Health Care System. The LPN serves adult and elderly Veterans within the Surgical Outpatient Clinics. The LPN will function as a nursing team member within the scope of practice determined by licensure and Healthcare System policy and standards. The LPN will assist in direct patient care in the clinic setting to include procedures, intake, record management, schedule management and other various duties.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to:Interpersonal Effectiveness (Dealing with Others) 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. Interacts and communicates appropriately to establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feeling 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. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes, as well as specialty concerns. Reacts to stress of self and others with self-control and appropriate behavior. Projects a positive image of the VA. Contributes to team cohesion with judicious use of leave. Interacts with hospital employees and visitors in a cooperative and professional manner. Initiates and completes appropriate reports for patient and employee incidents. Works with the RN/MD to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs in relation to acceptable standards or practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides professional behavior (i.e., respect, civility, ability to accept constructive feedback). Maintains a work environment that honors diversity. Organizational Effectiveness (Accepting accountability) Adheres to and promotes safe practices including: Use of infection control equipment (Personal Protective Equipment), infection control policies/procedures, and universal precautions. Use of proper body mechanics and safety equipment i.e., lifts. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss or equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action and following up to assure correction of problem. Recognizes and reports patient, employee, and/or visitor incidents per procedure/policy. Provides safe care and conserves resources effectively. Adheres to all requirements in regard to reusable medical equipment. Utilizes equipment and supplies according to manufacturer and safety policies and procedures and assists others to do so. Checks ongoing expiration dates of medications and supplies. Utilizes equipment and supplies according to manufacturer and safety policies and procedures and assists others to do so. Checks ongoing expiration dates of medications and supplies. Adheres to policies and procedures related to fire and disaster drills, and security measures. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: Not Available Functional Statement #: 436-57956-A, 436-57957-A, 436-57958-A, 436-57958-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed. Education. Candidates must be a 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Licensure. Candidates must posses a full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a [ ] licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. 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-3 None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; 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 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 Experience. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The following KSAs are required at the GS-5 grade level for the LPN. 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. 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. 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. GS-6 Experience. Candidates must have completed at least (1) one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meet all performance requirements for the GS 5 LPN and is technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The following KSAs are required at the GS-6 grade level for the LPN. 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: 2-3 years of LPN experience, Surgical or Clinical Experience Preferred. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 Physical Requirements. The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning and transferring patients. Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern. Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

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 Montana VA Health Care System 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]