Licensed Practical Nurse - Long Term Care

Summary

The LPN at the Wilkes Barre VAMC Provides care and / or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served - and which is appropriate to the cognitive; emotional - and chronological maturation of the patient. Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age- specific needs and to provide care needed as described in the services' policies and procedures.

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 :

Citizenship

Citizen of the United States

(Noncitizens may 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

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

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)

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 stated above - 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 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN

OR - Graduation from an approved school (unless meeting one of the education exceptions above) 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 - Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration

LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level

however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques

GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent

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

Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD / DO

Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures

However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review

GS-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 / 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

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

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

References : VA HANDBOOK 5005 - PART II - APPENDIX G13.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.

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for : Maintain BCLS certification Maintains nursing current - active - full and unrestricted licensure Demonstrates a positive image of nursing and the Medical Center and the VHA Attends in-service programs Completes mandatory in-services / reviews Adheres to dress code as established Mentors new employees to the unit Demonstrates responsibility to the position by reporting on time for scheduled tours of duty and takes into consideration the workload of the unit when requesting leave Completes assigned duties and responsibilities Responsible for providing Nursing Care to residents in Long Term care - dementia unit - respite - hospice - rehabilitation - transitional care and their families / significant others
• Relates and interacts with patients and staff - Treats internal / external customers with respect - Welcomes additional help Begins to demonstrate a practical knowledge of human behavior - motivations - and reactions to situations in working effectively with patients - family and significant others Participates in group meetings to help patients share feelings - interact and function in accordance with the patient's treatment plan
• Begins to demonstrate constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships - communications and socialization skills
• Utilizes team building skills to work efficiently and effectively with other disciplines
• Participates with the interdisciplinary team in the development - implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan
• Uses discretion in all confidential matters
• Models commitment to customer service
• Manages patient complaints effectively and promptly
• Responds appropriately as a member of the Cardiac - Disaster - Violence - Fire Fighting - and / or Code Yellow Team
• Handles assignments to other areas with professional behavior
• Willingness to accept organizational changes and accepts constructive ideas for the betterment of the organization
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Uses sound judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines
• Utilizes nursing process in practice Begins to demonstrate critical decision making skills
• Has the knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex nursing care assignments - including assignments for acute care - long-term or ambulatory care - or psychiatric patients requiring skilled nursing care
• Demonstrates ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing - medication and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal
• Considers physical - emotional and social factors in modifying patient care plans
• Participates in unit based performance improvement initiatives
• Participates on Nursing - CORE - and / or Medical Center committees Demonstrates awareness of mission - vision - and value objectives of the CORE and Medical Center
• Implements clinical guidelines as appropriate
• Serves as a member of the nursing unit team with selected patients and provides care to them on a regular and recurring basis
• Performs nursing skills in a safe manner that prevents personal injury to patients - self - or others
• Maintains unit orderliness and cleanliness
• Accurately reports and records significant patient information via hard or soft copies
• Completed work needs only a general review by a registered nurse for technical soundness - appropriateness - and conformity with policy and nursing assignment
• Demonstrated knowledge - skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations
• Administers prescribed medications including Intravenous fluids (after instruction and supervised practice) excluding central IV lines and investigational drugs - and performs more complex treatments
• Utilizes Omnicell medication system per policy
• Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures - which includes preparing the patient - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing and passing instruments - and monitoring the patient's condition
• Attends interdisciplinary treatment team meetings on assigned patients and provides input as needed
• Supports the patient and / or family members integration of the interdisciplinary treatment plan toward the achievement of discharge goals
• Provides instructions to patient on preoperative and postoperative procedures which were previously given to the patient by the nurse or physician
• After surgery - assists and instructs patients on how to keep lungs clear
• Instructs patients on how equipment is used (oxygen - suction or respirator)
• Work Schedule : 0000-0800 rotating weekends / holidays or 1545-1215 rotating weekends / holidays or 075-1615 rotative weekends / holidays Telework : Not Available Virtual : This is not a virtual position
• Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized