Practical Nurse - Ambulatory​/Primary Care

Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) position is located at the VA Clinic in Wilmington - NC aligned under the Nursing - Ambulatory Care Service Line. The LPN/LVN provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory/Primary Care setting(s). Duties are performed under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or other Healthcare Provider (HCP).

• Citizenship:
  Citizen of the United States
• English Language Proficiency - Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• 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
• Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e.
  
  - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia
• Physical Requirements - This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements such as annual TB screening or testing as a condition of employment
• 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:
  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
• 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
• GS-05 - Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent and demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• GS-06 - Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Basic Life Support (BLS)
  Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which a applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional:
  The primary purpose of the LPN is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran
• The LPN performs the functions listed below under the general supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or other Healthcare Provider (HCP)
• Demonstrates proficiency in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties while providing care to diverse patient populations
• Maintains knowledge and ability to carry out patient care determined by the patient's condition utilizing judgement in selecting appropriate orders, procedures and treatments and in recognizing, reporting and recording relevant patient information to include urgent and emergent situations
• Observes, identifies and responds to patient needs for medication, medical equipment and patient/family education while considering emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and age-related factors
• Maintains knowledge and skill 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
• Establishes constructive and positive relationships with patients/families in order to promote open communication and socialization skills, taking into consideration human…