Licensed Practical Nurse- VA Community Living Center

Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) will work in the VA Community Living Center (CLC) at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center where Veterans receive extended hospital care and short-term rehabilitation levels of care which includes help with activities of daily living - skilled nursing - hospice - and dementia care. The mission of a Community Living Center is to restore each Veteran to his or her highest level of well-being - to prevent declines in health - and to provide comfort at the end of life.

Qualifications

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 approved by the appropriate State agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)
• See "Education" section for additional requirements and exceptions
• 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
• 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:
  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• In addition to the basic requirements stated above - additional criteria must be met for each grade
• Human Resources will determine eligibility and qualifications and recommend the appropriate grade level to the selecting official
• This determination will be made based on the information in your application
• To receive full consideration at the GS-5 and
  -6 levels - your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) described below
• GS-03
  - None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04:
  Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or 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
• GS-05
  - Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that demonstrates the following KSAs:
  Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Works with the registered nurse (RN) and/or physician (MD/DO) to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs) /Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes
• 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 procedures
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-06
  - Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent that demonstrates the…