Summary

GS-6 grade level is for select - complex LPN positions where the LPN consistently exercises independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervision. He/she possesses a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices or procedures. These positions must be approved by the LPN Standards Board and the Associate Director - Patient Care Services (ADPCS).

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
• 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
• 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
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• 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 98-60 - 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
• See paragraph 4 - section C
• 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-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 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) physician (MD/DO)] for appropriateness and conformity with establish 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
• 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
• An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 of this part
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a 6
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - pushing - lifting - and transferring during administration of patient care
• In addition - the incumbent must be emotionally stable and adjust to different types of personalities - demonstrating compassion - courtesy - and concern
• Must be able to utilize good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress
• 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)
• The incumbent must be able to perform all activities for the position without restriction
• This will include work on expanded tours of duty - weekends - and the ability to push supply - medication - and telehealth carts
• The LPN 6 must be able to utilize written and verbal communication skills proficiently when communicating with the supervisor and other staff members.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional FUNCTIONS: Make sound contributions in the planning - implementing and evaluation of nursing care in the outpatient Surgical Clinic patient setting
• Demonstrates behavioral evidence-based nursing practice in accordance with Medical Center policies - procedures - and nursing protocols
• Demonstrates behavioral evidence-based knowledge in safely administering and recording selected medication according to Medical Center policies and procedures - computing correct dosages and recognizes drug reactions
• Consistently demonstrated behavioral knowledge of age related physical/psychosocial problems specific to each age group
• Accurately reports to the RN and documents in CPRS - observations of patients' behavior and general physical and psychosocial status (needs)
• Accurately reports to the RN and documents care and treatments given and \"CHANGES\" in patients' physical status based on evidence-based practice/knowledge
• Recognizes medical/surgical and behavioral emergencies such as Code 99 and Code 44 - initiating appropriate immediate action according to established policies and procedures until professional help arrives
• Observes groups of patients and identifies individual patients whose conditions is labile or deteriorating and procures timely professional intervention for those patients
• Facilitate the admission of patients into the surgical specialty clinic
• Initiates the triage process - interviews the patient (data intake) - takes vital signs - and provides patient education/information as indicated concerning pre-post op care for surgery and/or home care
• Follows established guidelines for documentation in CPRS unique to the Outpatient Surgical Specialty Clinic
• Consistently participates in patient and family education - re-enforcing the learning process related to evidence-based practice
• Transcribes/interprets and notes physicians' orders appropriately in accordance with policies - and procedure
• Perform such specialized treatments/procedures as Bladder Catheterizations - Uroflows - Bladder Scans (accurate readings) - collect urine (GU) and other specimens as directed for diagnostic purposes
• Performs the safe removal of casts and splints and accurately performs cast care
• Performs surgical dressing changes including specific application of dressings in wound care management of the Vascular patient - assisting with minor surgical procedures and other procedures/treatments unique to the Surgical Specialty Clinic (GYN - ENT - Plastics - General Surgery - Orthopedics - Urology - Vascular Wound Care - Neuro and Thoracic) in accordance with Medical Center policies (Infection Control Policy) and procedures based on evidence-based practice
• Provide basic foot care and collect data for PAVE (Prevention of Amputation in Veterans Everywhere) patient assessments
• Actively participates in the development of plans for managing groups of patients and individual patients in the Surgical Specialty Clinic setting
• Complies with safety policies and procedures correctly to prevent injury to self and others - and using correct body mechanics - evidence-based practice when lifting and/or transporting patients
• Monitors equipment used in patient care - correctly assembling for safe use
• Reports and/or removes - if possible - improperly functioning equipment
• Assumes responsibility for the proper use of equipment and supplies
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized