This Licensed Practical Nurse position is located in the Nursing Service at the Auburn Gresham CBOC which is located at 7731 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60620, which is a part of the Nursing Service of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL. The LPN is responsible for performing nonstandard and specialized nursing activities, requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems.

Duties

Duties includes but not limited to: Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. Performs, reports and appropriate records assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics, including, but not limited to: Oxygen Therapy Medication Administration EKG's Clinical Reminder Completion with appropriate alerts as indicated Check expiration dates of medications and supplies Delegated Procedures and Treatments Documentation Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy. Responsible for ear irrigations and monitoring patient during the procedure. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication. Promptly recognizes urgent and emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. Based on the patient's goals, provides patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness. Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members. Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e. respect, civility, ability to accept constructive criticism), effective communication and interpersonal skills. Adheres to principles of infection control, safety and universal precautions. Incumbent possesses knowledge of proper handling of pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment. Responsible for scrubbing of the PCP schedule prior to daily huddles i.e. labs, appointments, hospital/ER discharges. Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties including SPH equipment. Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills, safety and security measures. Promotes patient and personnel safety SUPERVISORY CONTROL/ACCOUNTABLE TO: Nurse Manager (Rating Official), Clinic Director (Approving Official) CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUIREMENTS Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats internal and external customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, contracted staff, all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. AGE, DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS RQUIREMENT Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served, adult and geriatric. Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific, developmental and cultural needs. COMPUTER SECURITY REQUIREMENTS Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Work schedule will be discussed at interview. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 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: 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Licensure: Must possess 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. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIIRED) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. Your qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-3 Level: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-4 Level: Must have completed six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN OR 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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 Level: Must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes:1. 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.2. 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.3. 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.4. 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.5. 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 Level: Must have completed 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 that includes:1.Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.2. 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.3. 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.4. 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.5. 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.6. 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.7. 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.8. 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.9. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3, PART II, APPENDIX G13. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and lifting in the direct care of patients; some extended periods of sitting and/or standing.

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 Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Shaundila Bass
• Phone: 312-569-7917
• Email: [email protected]