Licensed Practical Nurse - Ambulatory Care

SummaryThe Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves as a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team - providing regular and recurring care to selected patients. The LPN completes assigned duties and responsibilities - which involve performing both standard and specialized practical nursing activities - requiring broad work experience. Recurring duties are carried out independently. This position is located at The Fort Meade VA Outpatient Clinic.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationGraduate 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 applicantVerification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission] - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC WebsiteExceptions 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 employmentVHA 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 authorityThe waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversionsIndividuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved schoolLicensureFull - 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 ColumbiaMay 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 stated in section A - the following qualification criteria must be met for each gradeThe candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the gradeGS-3. 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-4. Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVNor 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 proceduresor Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months durationLPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade levelhowever - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniquesGS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalentDemonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problemsWorks 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 deliveryProvides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimesDemonstrated 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 practiceKnowledge 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 proceduresObservation 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/DOKnowledge 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 arrestRecognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DOIndividuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing proceduresHowever - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level reviewGS-6 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/LVNTechnically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populationsKnowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditionsto use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence for procedures and treatmentsand to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient informationCompleted work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with [established policies/proceduresAbility to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family educationIn organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factorsKnowledge 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 directedKnowledge 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 staffKnowledge 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 procedureServes 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******Qualification continued below in Education section******DutiesVA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The PACT LPN is an essential member of the PACT TeamDuties include but are not limited to - daily and 2-week scrubbing - patient check-in - completion of clinical reminders - and 2-day post Emergency Department follow-up callsLPN's provide coverage in the Lab and specialty clinics during absencesThe LPN provides a warm hand off to the provider following check-inThey administer vaccinations - perform point of care testing - obtain vital signs & EKG's and reinforce teachingThe LPN role on the pact team is essential to the health and well-being of the VeteranASSIGNED DUTIES FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBLITIES:: The Licensed Practical Nurse possesses knowledge and skills to perform practical nurse assessment [\"Assessment\" means the act of gathering and identifying data about the client - (MBON COMAR 10.27.10.01.htm)] - procedures - practices - and techniques at a level determined by the Qualification Standards and demonstrated competencyDemonstrating knowledge to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problemsDemonstrating ability to serve as a responsible member of the health care team and interact with patients - significant others and co-workersDocumenting care provided observations - and responses on appropriate tools or formsIntegrate and apply aspects of the Joint Commission s National Patient Safety Goals as applicable to their area of practiceMaintain confidentiality of written - electronic - and verbal patient/employee informationIntegrate and apply pertinent aspects of the Outpatient Clinic performance improvement program into his/her professional practice when appropriatePrepare and administer prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and or intravenous) and perform treatments according to established policies/proceduresSchedule appointments for patients in collaboration with team members to ensure that all patients are scheduled within time constraints established by ACA guidelines and VHA policies especially adhering to priority access for service connected and OEF/OIF veteran populations Returning phone calls - receiving calls - and take messages in collaboration with the teams' members to ensure that all patients' management /care coordination are addressed in timing mannerCollaborates with team in completing two-day post discharge phone calls and involvement in post discharge visitsAssist patients in preparing for upcoming appointments (lab - radiology imaging - and other diagnostic procedures) and ensuring patients know about appointmentsWork Schedule: Monday - Friday (0800 - 1630) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)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) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a childChild Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA 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 positionFunctional Statement #: GS-03 - 512-24199-F GS-04 - 512-24200-F GS-05 - 512-24201-F GS-06 - 512-24202-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized