Summary

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a direct care provider who has the technical proficiency and excellent observation skills necessary for initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in delivering comprehensive practical nursing care to variable patient populations in a residential setting. The LVN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the Mental Health Team in order to develop a successful patient-aligned care plan.

Qualifications

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
• Education or Training
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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)
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 Licensed Vocational Nurse: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Licensed Vocational Nurse: Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• OR Graduation from an approved school 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
• GS-5 Licensed Vocational Nurse: Experience
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-04 LPN/LVN: 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
• Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO
• 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
• GS-6 Licensed Vocational Nurse: Experience
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the 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
• 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
• 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
• 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualifications Standard - http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf

Duties

• The incumbent demonstrates excellent ability to balance many competing demands and sets priorities effectively - while supporting multiple providers
• Has knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on patients' condition
• Major duties and responsibilities include but - not limited to: Uses judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• Has knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures
• Utilizes two (2) patient identifiers when rooming patients - providing treatments or procedures - and obtaining specimens
• Demonstrates knowledge of \"time out\" process before any procedures
• Utilizes verbal or written \"hand off' interactive communication that allows the opportunity for questioning between giver and receiver of patient information
• Provides quality care to patients with multisystem problems - including seriously and chronically ill patients
• Promptly recognizes - evaluates - and reports urgent or emergent patient care situations and/or subtle changes in patient status
• Seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or Medical Provider of changes in the patient's condition
• Initiates and participates in preventative health screening and instructions (i.e. - diet and exercise - alcohol abuse - smoking cessation - immunizations mammograms - CDC guidelines - etc.) for mental health patients
• Observes - identifies - and responds to patients' needs for care - including medication and equipment assisted care - and recognizes deviations from normal
• Performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care in the Mental Health HVRP/First Step Programs
• Uses judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines Work Schedule: 3:30pm-Midnight or 11:30pm-8:00am may be available - may include Weekdays - Weekends - and Holidays depending on patient needs Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD08903F - PD08904F - PD08905F - and PD08906F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized