The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides care to patients with the goal of promotion and/or maintenance of health and/or prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes performing services requiring technical, manual, and basic assessment (data collection) skills. The LVN participates in evaluating, planning, and executing interventions in accordance with the concept of good nursing care and per the patient's treatment plan.
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) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. 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. Grade Determinations: 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-03 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-04 (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-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications. This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies. GS-06 Proficiency 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe, identify, and respond to a 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, 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, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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, 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours; repeated bending; both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted).
The LVN/LPN assumes the following roles and responsibilities outlined the in LVN Performance Standards for Critical and Non-Critical Elements. Nursing Practice Element: With minimal guidance / supervision, consistently provides nursing care and administers medications and treatments to patients with complex nursing problems. Consistently and appropriately uses the nursing process to assist to plan and implement nursing care. Effectively provides care for patients' needs related to their age and limitations. Provides lifestyle screening and health promotion through completion of clinical reminders as appropriate to unit. Effectively demonstrates responsible, flexible, and self-directed work habits that promote patient care and team functioning. Safety/Emergency Element: Effectively recognizes life-threatening situations and takes action without delay. Accurately recognizes changes in patients' condition and deviations from baseline that require emergent intervention and responds appropriately. Effectively maintains a safe environment for patients and staff. Actively participates and maintains competency in all annual safety and emergency requirements. Written/Electronic Documentation Element: Reads and responds to work e-mails daily. Consistently, independently, accurately, and appropriately completes all documentation within tour of duty. Documents completion of appropriate age, gender and cultural patient education and teaching. Documents after care and home care measures individualized to patient needs. Customer Service/Communication Element: Consistently courteous and cooperative with internal and external customers. Consistently deals with people in a sensitive and diplomatic manner. Consistently handles differences of opinion in a professional manner. Receptive to constructive feedback as an opportunity to improve and grow professionally. Recognizes a potentially volatile or violent situation and appropriately deploys available resources Accountability Element: Notifies supervisor within one business day of actual or perceived wrong-doing including fraud, waste, or abuse of authority and violations of law or VA core values (I- CARE). Consistently communicates in a positive and unified message to employees, internal and external stakeholders, and customers. Meets all mandatory employee obligations such as required training; care and protection of government issued equipment, proper handling, and protection of confidential, sensitive, and personally identifiable information. Professional Development Element: Meets all mandatory training requirements on time without prompting. Performs self-assessment and identifies personal and professional learning needs with minimal guidance. Provides constructive feedback for formal and informal performance reviews in a professional manner at the appropriate time. Preferred Experience: Ambulatory care experience Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0630-1800 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized