Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse- Primary Care delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to patients while developing technical competencies. The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies - and competency in caring for adult Patients. Patients receiving care in the Primary care settings - and are being treated for any number of medical conditions

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: 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
• 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)
• 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 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 LVNor(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:(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:(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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse- Primary Care delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies
• The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies - and competency in caring for adult Patients
• Patients receiving care in the Primary care settings - and are being treated for any number of medical conditions.Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: Recognizes and quickly responds to emergency situations and makes appropriate and timely interventions
• Observes and reports on patient's status and records objective and subjective data in the patient's record
• Demonstrates the ability to observe - identify - and respond to patient needs for nursing - medication and equipment assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal
• Actively contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development - implementation - and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan and promotes patient participation by fostering self-reliance and independence
• Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures which may include preparing the patient - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing and passing instruments and monitoring the patient's condition
• Performs support duties as assigned
• Communicates and identifies anticipated patient care problems or problems which may impede the patient care
• Identifies and contributes to the learning and cultural needs of patients which may be influenced by differences in social - religious customs and dietary habits
• Functions as a chaperone and assists with women's health procedures as assigned
• Promotes and reinforces health education which is consistent with the treatment plan to the patient and the family
• Considers age specific needs of client when providing patient care and or education
• Assumes accountability for the quality of nursing care by adhering to medical center administrative - personnel and clinical policies
• Communicates and identifies anticipated patient care problems or problems which may impede the patient care
• Sufficient understanding of diseases and illnesses and skill to teach patients and family members impressing upon them the necessity for continuation of these procedures in order to maintain proper health care
• Routinely prioritizes assigned duties and demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making skills in intervening in problems and problem resolution
• Work Schedule: Monday- Friday: 08:00-16:30 or Monday- Friday: 07:30-16:00 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize