Licensed Practical Nurse - Spinal Cord Injury; SCI

Summary

Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies - and competency in caring for adult and geriatric residents. Patients receiving care in the ambulatory care - acute care - long term care - and psychiatric settings are being treated for any number of medical and psychological conditions.

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 accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• 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
• English Language Proficiency:
  Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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-3:
  None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4:
  Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below (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-5: (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Additional detail on responsibilities, skills, and qualifications continues in the original document

• Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies
• The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies - and competency in caring for adult and geriatric residents
• Patients receiving care in the acute care - spinal cord injury (SCI) - or community living center (CLC) are being treated for any number of medical and psychological conditions
• Given the nature of their disease process patients may express intent to harm either themselves or others (suicidal or homicidal ideations) or exhibit behaviors that place the patient at risk for harm or elopement
• Some examples of these behaviors include but are not limited to confusion - delirium - and interference with medical devices (e.g intravenous lines or indwelling urinary catheters)
• In order to maintain the patient's safety - patients may be assigned a 1:1 sitter
• The LPN provides care to the patient under the direction of the RN assigned to care for the patient
• Explains procedures to residents - using language which they understand and displaying consideration of individual resident needs
• Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for resident-centered care
• Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation
• Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet patient care needs
• Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful - courteous manner - making customer service the focus of all interactions
• Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff - the health care team - unit staff - residents - and visitors
• Provides emotional support to residents - and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status
• Establishes constructive relationship with individual residents to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• Hospice/Palliative care needs are supported as needed based on resident self-determination
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual resident and family/significant other rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Serves as…