The License Practical Nurse (LPN) is located in our Domicilliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. Employee in this position has at least one-year qualifying experience at an LPN GS-5 level or equivalent. LPNs at the GS-6 grade level perform all duties expected of LPNs at theGS-5 level and are expected to be technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations, requiring minimal guidance and direction.

Duties

Thank you for your interest in the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Atlanta VAMC position. We will evaluate your application and responses to determine if you are amoung the best qualified for this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of your experience or education as proof to support your answers. Please read the announcement in its entirety and review your responses for accuracy before you submit this questionnaire. Total Rewards: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties include: Demonstrate ability to review orders and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition, to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, to accurately report and record significant patient information. Demonstrate ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing, medication, and equipment-assisted care. Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients with complex problems according to nursing standards and Medical Center policy and procedure. This includes, but is not limited to: Bathing, showering, oral care, shaving, feeding, turning, and positioning, and ambulating. Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g., blood, sputum, urine, stool. Providing wound care management and treatments. Providing for lifting, moving, transferring, and/or transporting patients. Applying protective/supporting devices or restraints under the direction of the RN or medical provider. Applying abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, ace bandages, and hyper/hypothermia blankets. Providing post-mortem care per Nursing/Patient Care Services policy and procedure. Recognizes and initiates emergency measures consistent with training: Calls Codes. Assist appropriately and applies concepts for the management of disruptive behavior including the application of restraints and/or seclusion (under the direction of the RN or medical provider), while providing for physical and safety needs. Calls Code Blue appropriately and initiates basic life support as needed. Follows appropriate procedure for Fire Drills, and other emergencies. Performs such diagnostic procedures as TPR, B/P, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, I&O, heights, weights, finger-sticks, breathalyzer, and EKGs. Recognizes deviations from normal. Documents and reports result to the registered nurse and/or physician. Performs narcotic count as per policy/procedure and immediately notifies the Charge RN of discrepancies. Administers oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications. Administers immunizations independently upon completion of Immunization competency. Makes frequent rounds on patients, noting environment, changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition. Reports and documents all observed problems and indicates which might have an adverse effect on patients, visitors, or personnel. Initiates appropriate action. Monitors patients who require group status or 1:1 observation, e.g., suicide precautions, patients with potential for injuring self or others. Documents and reports behavior patterns and changes per Nursing Patient Care Procedure. Provides for a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment. Follows all safety policies and procedures including using good body mechanics and wearing personal protective equipment as needed. Preferred Experience- applicant should have at least 2 years of acute inpatient med/surgical experience. Work Schedule: Midtour 1130-2000 & 1530-0000 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:55299F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available

Requirements

Qualifications

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. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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. 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. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. 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.
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576,
  enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C.

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/.

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.

Contacts

• Address Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Jacqueline Dunn
• Phone: 404-360-7417
• Email: [email protected]