Summary

The Northport VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) that will work within Extended Care Service in the Community Living Center. The LPN performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in both written and spoken English (as required by 38 USC 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• For Exceptions - please go to: 5005-3_LPN_Quals (va.gov) Licensure: Full - current - active and unrestricted licensure as a graduate licensed practical nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States or 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 - 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. 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. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-5 if they meet all of the criteria below: (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. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-6 if they meet all of the criteria below: (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-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - kneeling - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice
• 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 patents' 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
• The LPN works under the direction of an RN and reports to the Community Living Center Nurse Manager
• The LPN is responsible for observing - recording - and reporting changes in the patient's condition - as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic care plan for life
• The LPN is a member of the larger Team
• The LPN requires a general review of their work by Community Living Center Nurse Manager for appropriateness and conformity with license - policies - and procedures
• The LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the Long term Care Provider - Long Term care RN Care Manager - Nursing Assistants - and the family/caregiver - internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the patient
• Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing the CLC RN Care Manager - CLC Nurse Manager - or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• The LPN performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care in the Community Living Centers - including - but not limited to: Oxygen therapy Medication administration Clinical reminders as indicated Check expiration dates of meds and supplies Delegated procedures and treatments Documentation Performs EKGs as indicated Performs diagnostic procedures such as EKGs - vital signs and blood glucose testing
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication
• Demonstrates understanding of age- and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance - and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate
• Based on the patient's goals - provides patient and family health education - to include self-management - prevention - and wellness
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members
• Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e. - respect - civility - ability to accept constructive criticism) - effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Promotes a positive patient- centered environment
• Adheres to principles of infection control - safety - and universal precautions
• Incumbent possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties
• Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills - safety - and security measures
• Demonstrates initiative in assisting the functioning of the Community Living Centers
• Assists 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
• Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection
• Completes mandatory reviews - including motivational interviewing - in order to promote patient self-management toward individualized life plan of care
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe - efficient - and cost-effective manner - using evidence-based principles
• Promotes patient and personnel safety
• Participates in the interdisciplinary team in the development - implementation - and evaluation of the patient's/resident's treatment plan
• Observes - identifies - and responds to the patient's needs for nursing - medication - and equipment assisted care and recognizes deviations from normal
• Uses practical nursing knowledge of human behavior - motivations - and reactions to situations in working with patients - family - and other staff members
• Demonstrates knowledge of medication action - dosage - and potential adverse reaction
• Additional duties as assigned Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full Time
• Rotating Days 7:30pm-8:00am
• Holidays and Weekends required
• 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) 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 #: PD13029F - PD13026F - PD13027F - and PD13028F