Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care

Summary

The LPN - Primary Care GS-7 position is located at the Athens Outpatient Clinic in Athens, TN.

• 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 accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Licensure
  - Condition of employment
• Active full current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State – Territory – or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia
• An LPN who has or has ever had any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probation status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee
• Proficient in spoken and written English – as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations:
  The GS-7 grade level is for select complex LPN/LVN positions as established by each health care facility
• To be advanced – employees must meet all of the following standards – provided the standard is part of their assignment
• Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO – employees in such settings have demonstrated the exercise of independent technical judgment …
• Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients
• Completion of minimum of 3 years of LPN experience, at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN
• Knowledge base promotes incorporation of current patient care data in developing the patient’s overall health plan and carrying out assigned nursing interventions
• Employees at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery
• Makes astute observations of subtle changes in patient’s condition and accurately documents care delivered that could require immediate modification of the patient’s care plan
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient’s condition requiring higher-level intervention
• At this grade level – the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing and modifying patient care treatment
• Ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient’s needs for medication/treatments – accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments
• Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to recognize potential drug reactions – promptly informs RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient’s condition and initiates appropriate interventions
• Knowledge and skill to recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations and seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes
• Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with difficult patients and/or family members who may exhibit self-control problems, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments to understanding
• Exhibits creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and family satisfaction levels through participation in committees, research projects, or developing educational materials/media
• Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of practice
• References: VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – Appendix G13 – Licensed Practical or…