Licensed Vocational Nurse - Surgical Clinic

Overview

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is assigned to the Surgical Clinic at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS). The LVN has the knowledge and ability to provide a full range of vocational nursing care.

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
• Education
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the NLNAC at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the NLNAC - 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 98-160 - 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
• Licensure
• Full - active - current - unrestricted licensure as LPN or LVN in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e.
  
  - Puerto Rico) of the U.S.
  
  - 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 VA provisions
• English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment - one of the following criteria must be met and documented on your resume
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-3
  
  Experience:
  
  None beyond the basic requirements above
• 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-4 Experience/
  
  Education:
  
  Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or
  
  Education:
  
  Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• Combined
  
  Education & Experience:
  
  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
• GS-5
  
  Experience:
  
  Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the next lower level (GS-4)
• Additionally an LPN as this level will be able to demonstrate: knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care - incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice
• knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures
• Observation and documentation will include patient s response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient s condition to RN or MD/DO
• knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO - and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
• recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing…