The Licensed Practical Nurse provides specialized, skilled and individualized practical nursing care to all levels of patients including most complex patients who are acutely ill and/or chronically ill. Care is provided to patients who exhibit a variety of most complex physical and/or behavioral problems. This position will service the Wilmington VA Medical Center.
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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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). Exceptions include: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Licensure: Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational 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: 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; OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. 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. 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. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. 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.(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. 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.
Under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse (RN), the licensed practical nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the nursing team and assists the RN in the care of patients in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The LPN delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. Major Duties Include but not limited to: Performs complex practical nursing care with precision and efficiency, consistent with Medical Center policy and procedure and within the legal and ethical responsibilities of his/her licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Performs specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad clinical experience and demonstrated skills sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems. Provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients with changing complex physiological and/or emotional needs. He/she will take into consideration the patient's age related abilities associated with mobility, nutrition, mentation, hygiene, continence, psychosocial status needs. Will act urgently if needed and report changes in patient's condition and other significant observations to an appropriate team member in a timely manner and documents appropriately in the medical record. Maintains confidentiality Assists with patient and family/significant other teaching under the supervision of the registered nurse. Identifies learning needs, suggests ways to meet identified needs, implements and evaluates the teaching plan in conjunction with other staff. Fully participates in the clinic process. Gathers data as assigned by the RN and communicates this data verbally and/or in writing according to established procedures. Performs a full range of complex treatments and procedures, ordered treatments and procedures, according to Medical Center policy/procedures, e.g. urological studies, EKG, phlebotomy, administration of immunizations, and other medications as ordered by providers. Reviews and completes medications orders. Prepares, administers and documents medications with an understanding to medication actions, side effects, adverse reactions and contraindication following Medical Center policies/ procedures. Establishes constructive interpersonal relationships with patients and families/ significant others. Establishes professional relationships with members of other disciplines and with support personnel who provide patient care. Uses effective communication skills. Uses knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to events in dealing with others in difficult situations and promotes positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Works to establish team building. Recognizes and responds appropriately in emergency situations according to established center procedures; for example, codes, fire, disaster, hazardous spills, rapid response and abuse. Fully participates as a member of the specialty clinic team providing patient care. Contributes to the specialty department in promoting patient wellness through education and referrals and encouraging patient participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence. Uses the computer to access patient information and enters patient information accurately and appropriately. Performs work in a safe manner and as a result provides a safe environment for patients, self and others. For example, using universal precautions and body mechanics. Recognizes and reports potentially hazardous environmental condition. Maintains a safe and clean patient environment including light housekeeping duties, restocking, care and handling of RME, and other cleaning as assigned. Presents in-services as learning needs are identified. Participates in work groups, teams and /or committees and supports the Center QM/QI activities and organizational goals. Collects data to support any unit Pl projects. Maintains knowledge of the correct care of pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment (RME). AII other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized