The Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN performs within this functional statement under guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee.
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: LPNs/LVNs 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). Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the 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. 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. 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 IAW the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. 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 basic requirements. 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: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: 6 months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR, Graduation from an approved school and 1 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: Experience: 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN. 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. Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the experience and/or education above, must demonstrate all of the following: 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 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. Able 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/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. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6: Experience: 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the experience and/or education above, must demonstrate all of the following: 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 for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Able to observe, identify and respond to patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Prepare and administer prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and perform treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observe 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. Establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Foster an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporate 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 after the procedure. Serve 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 seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Preferred Experience: Outpatient/Inpatient surgery 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.
The LPN performs, reports, and documents assigned nursing care in the Specialty Care team including but not limited to: Provides patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness. Interacts and communicate appropriately with patients and family members. Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions. Incumbent possess knowledge of proper handling and precleaning of reusable medical equipment. Demonstrates competence using specialized equipment needed to perform job duties. Demonstrates initiatives in assisting the core and expanded teams. Assist in the orientation and competency validation of students, peers, and clerical staff. Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and/ or verbal patient information. Maintains a work environment that honors diversity. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in administration of medication. Delegated procedures and treatments: EKG, phlebotomy (if applicable). Schedules appointment management in collaboration with RN and PCP. Assists when necessary obtaining information from unscheduled patient. Telephone triage as necessary in collaboration with RN and PCP. Demonstrates understanding of age-and population-specific characteristics. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergence patient care situations, seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate action, to include self-management, prevention and wellness. Interacts and communicate appropriately with patients and family members. Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions. Incumbent possess knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment. Demonstrates competence using specialized equipment needed to perform job duties. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93393-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized