Licensed Practical Nurse (Intermittent Float)

SummaryThe Intermittent Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works in the Patient Care Services Department and provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients in the Mental Health - Community Living Center and Ambulatory Care locations. The incumbent will interact and collaborate effectively with patients - families and other health care support personnel and initiate appropriate actions based on observations of the patient and deliver saft physical and emotional care to patients with complex needs.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 PolicyEducation: 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 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 WebsiteLicensure: 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 ColumbiaEnglish 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)Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - 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 requirementsGS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in below: 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 equivalentApplicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: Demonstrated 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 actionCompleted 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/LVNApplicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: Technically 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 of 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 factorsPrepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/proceduresObserves 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/DOKnowledge 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 staffEstablishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skillsFosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care deliveryEffectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customersKnowledge 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/proceduresActively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practiceReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.DutiesVA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Provide nursing care for and assistance to patients in meeting their personal hygiene needs such as bathing - feeding - lifting and turningObtain and label routine urine - stool and sputum specimensMeasure and record body temperature - pulse - respirations - and blood pressure forthe patient's recordsPerform such treatments and procedures as hot and cold compresses - enemas - sterile dressings and sitz bathAssist the doctor or nurse in patient examinationsPrepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical and intramuscular)and observes for physical and emotional contraindications from the medicationsObserves - reports and records in the patient's care plan significant conditions both physical and emotional - obvious and subtle - which have relevance to the health status of the patientphysical and emotional - obvious - and subtle - which have relevance to the health status of the patientResponds to emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary arrestSets up and gives treatments that require the assembly and operation of special equipment such as oxygenCommunicates and treats customers (patients - visitors - volunteers - and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous - tactful - and respectful mannerProvides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and proceduresHandles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriatelyWork Schedule: PRN - as neededVarious tours could include the following: 7:30am - 4:00pm - 12:00am - 8:00am and 3:30pm - 12:00amRecruitment 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)Benefits: May be eligible for Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) if expected to work over 130 hours per month for 90 days Transit subsidies (conditions apply) A uniform allowance: Authorized Telework: Not availableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.