Vocational Nurse

Overview

The Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse provides direct patient care services under the direction of the Registered Nurse. The Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse is part of the team with the Gastroenterology Clinic.

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
:

• 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
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576
• 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
• Appointing officials may waive the education requirement if an LPN/LVN was licensed in a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school - provided the individual has demonstrated successful practice as an LPN/LVN
• One year of successful practice is considered the equivalent of graduation from an approved school of 12 months duration
• 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

• The Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse is expected to demonstrate knowledge and ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition
• Use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines
• Accurately report and record significant patient information
• Completed work is generally reviewed by a registered nurse for technical soundness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments
• Duties include but are not limited to direct nursing care and practice in collaboration with the health care team
• Observe, record, and report changes in the patient’s condition
• Assist in developing and revising the patient-driven holistic life care plan
• Collaborate with Care Team (Patient, Physicians, Nurse Practitioner, RN, Medical Support Assistant) and extended team (family/caregiver, community services) to provide care
• Support Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) initiatives and outcomes as appropriate for the specialty section
• Comply with all VACCHCS policies, including timely completion of required training and competencies
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications (as permitted by local policies) and document actions and patient responses
• Recognize and respond to safety hazards, equipment issues, and supply deficiencies, reporting to appropriate personnel