Summary

This is an Open Continuous Announcement that will be used to fill vacant positions at the FVAMC Wilmington HCC for Licensed Practical Nurse with Primary Care - within the Patient Care Service. As a vital team member - the Licensed Practical Nurse will support the Registered Nurse and Primary Care Provider in delivering personalized care to all Primary Care patients. Please submit your most Current - recent SF50. We will not accept an AWARD or LWOP SF50 for verification.

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.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Noncitizen may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part
• Education
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or [accredited by] the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the ACEN
• Exceptions include: 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)
• Licensure: Full - active - current - and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth 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: 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 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 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.(d) 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-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
• [Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
• Provides education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes.](c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.(g) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad knowledge of practical nursing procedures
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-6.(a) Completion of at least one (1) year of [additional] qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.(b) Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.(c) Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out 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 [(RN) or physician (MD/DO)] for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.(d) 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.(e) 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 condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.(f) Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.(g) Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations - and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members - and other staff.(h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers.(i) Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which include preparing the patient - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during - and following procedures
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPN specialized tests/procedures.(j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf In the Primary Care setting - the Licensed Practical Nurse provides individualized nursing care - ensuring patient safety and well-being
• This role involves effective collaboration and communication with patients - families - and healthcare professionals - both internally and externally
• The nurse proactively responds to changes in patient condition - requiring minimal supervision
• Duties are performed with consistency and skill under the oversight of a Registered Nurse or Healthcare Provider - drawing upon a broad knowledge base of nursing procedures - with complex procedures subject to additional review The LPN/LVN Nurse embodies a dynamic set of qualities that truly elevate patient care! 1
• Expertly executes assigned duties and delivers personalized patient care
• 2
• Utilizes discerning judgment to inform patient care decisions and promptly responds to critical situations
• 3
• Provides comprehensive care addressing patients' physical - emotional - cultural - and educational requirements
• 4
• Exhibits expertise in administering medications through various routes
• 5
• Fosters positive relationships with patients and families - facilitating effective communication
• 6
• Upholds patient and family rights - incorporating customer service principles
• 7
• Assists with specialized procedures and diagnostic tests
• 8
• Serves as a mentor and educator for junior staff members
• 9
• Pursues ongoing professional development to enhance nursing knowledge and expertise EDUCATION: 1
• Provides appropriate information to patients and their families regarding the plan of care
• 2
• Assists the patient and family in understanding and acceptance of the disease process and encourages participation in the plan for the care and rehabilitation of the patient
• 3
• Identifies patient's educational needs to include equipment - medication - treatment procedures - and diagnosis
• Assists with teaching patient/family as appropriate
• 4
• Reinforces instructions to the patient/family that were previously presented by the nurse or physician
• Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year of successful LPN experience ambulatory care Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 0700-1730 (4x 10 hour days Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized