Career Center

Summary

Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies - and competency in caring for adult and geriatric residents. Patients receiving care in the ambulatory care - acute care - long term care - and psychiatric settings.

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 (i.e. - Puerto Rico) 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)
• 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-3:None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4:Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below(a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or(b) 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(c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-5:(a)Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.(b) 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.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) Recognizes 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:(a) 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.(b) Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) 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.(g) 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.(h) 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.(i) 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.(j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.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: The physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing and sitting - frequent bending - walking (distance) - climbing - reaching (overhead - extensive/repetitive) - pulling - pushing - repetitive motion and stooping
• The mental/sensory requirements include recall - reasoning - problem-solving - hearing - speaking clearly - writing legibly - keyboarding - reading and logical thinking - depth perception - hearing (aide permitted)
• near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements
• The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities - frequent - sometimes intense customer interactions - and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment
• There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease - illness and hazardous materials
• Work requires extensive walking - standing - stretching and bending in caring for patients.

Duties

• Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies
• The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies - and competency in caring for adult and geriatric residents
• Patients receiving care in the acute care - spinal cord injury (SCI) - or community living center (CLC) are being treated for any number of medical and psychological conditions
• Given the nature of their disease process patients may express intent to harm either themselves or others (suicidal or homicidal ideations) or exhibit behaviors that place the patient at risk for harm or elopement
• Some examples of these behaviors include but are not limited to confusion - delirium - and interference with medical devices (e.g
• intravenous lines or indwelling urinary catheters)
• In order to maintain the patient's safety - patients may be assigned a 1:1 sitter
• The LPN provides care to the patient under the direction of the RN assigned to care for the patient
• Explains procedures to residents - using language which they understand and displaying consideration of individual resident needs
• Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for resident-centered care
• Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation
• Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet patient care needs
• Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful - courteous manner - making customer service the focus of all interactions
• Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff - the health care team - unit staff - residents - and visitors
• Provides emotional support to residents - and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status
• Establishes constructive relationship with individual residents to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• Hospice/Palliative care needs are supported as needed based on resident self-determination
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual resident and family/significant other rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Serves as Veteran's/family/significant others' advocate
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with residents - family members/significant others and/or internal/external customers
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments - including assignments for - long-term - short-term rehabilitation - respite - hospice/palliative care - and psychiatric residents requiring skilled nursing care
• Demonstrates ability to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines - varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the resident's condition
• Completed work needs only a general review by a RN for technical soundness - appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments
• Work Schedule: Days/Evenings Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized