Licensed Practical Nurse-Surgical and Medical Specialty Care

Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for the delivery of care to Veterans in the clinics including cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, urology, pulmonology, general surgery, podiatry, orthopedics, gynecology, and EKG clinics. The LPN provides care to patients within the clinic. Functions as a LPN under the guidance of a Registered Nurse while adhering to established policies, protocols, standards of care and standards of practice.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District of Columbia
• 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-03:
  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-04: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, or (b) 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 procedures, or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05:
  Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies
• GS-06:
  Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance…