Practical Nurse; Ambulatory Care

Summary

The Nursing - Ambulatory Care department is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who will provide direct and indirect care to assigned patients while under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). The LPN will provide care to Veterans that will promote the Veteran attaining and maintaining maximum functionality.

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
• Education:
  
  Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing that was approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing (Accrediting Commission - NLNAC) at the time of completion
• Licensure:
  Holds a current - full - active and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical nurse or vocational nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e.
  
  - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or District of Columbia
• English Language Proficiency:
  Per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j:
  No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C.
  
  - chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• 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-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: least six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN
• OR - Graduation from an approved school 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-05:
  Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS 04 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: at least one (1) year of [additional] qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - 2 years total qualifying experience - that has provided you with the following:
  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…