Summary

Licensed Practical Nurse in Specialty Care at Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital providing progressively complex practical nursing care up to the GS-6 full performance level. Duties include vital signs - intake histories - clinical reminders - diabetic foot exams - medication/treatment administration - patient education - emergency response - diagnostic support - customer service - and care coordination for Veterans across age groups.

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:

• 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
• 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: 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-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• In addition to that experience - candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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 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
• (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
• 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-6: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent
• In addition to that experience - candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned 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 registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• 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
• 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 and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• 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
• 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
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• 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
• 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 the procedure
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• 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 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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: GS-3 Performs assigned LVN duties under close supervision
• Records vital signs and obtains intake histories
• Assists providers with physicals - diabetic foot exams - and female wellness exams
• Completes clinical reminders and other PACT-related tasks
• Follows PACT Handbook - nursing protocols - and standing order SOPs
• GS-4 Performs assigned LVN duties under frequent guidance
• Carries out basic practical nursing care assignments in Primary Care
• Observes - identifies - and responds to patient nursing needs
• Performs PACT duties such as vital signs - intake histories - clinical reminders - and exam assistance
• Supports quality care - customer service - and a Veteran-centered environment
• GS-5 Carries out complex practical nursing care assignments in Primary Care
• Provides practical nursing care to patients with physical and/or behavioral problems
• Observes - identifies - and responds to patient nursing needs
• Administers and documents commonly prescribed medications as permitted by policy
• Recognizes emergencies - seeks RN/MD assistance - and assists in resuscitation procedures
• GS-6 Carries out the most complex practical nursing care assignments in Primary Care
• Uses judgment to sequence procedures and treatments based on patient condition
• Accurately recognizes - reports - and records relevant patient information
• Administers prescribed medications and treatments - monitors responses - and reports changes
• Supports complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures and precepts less experienced staff
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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: Available - ad-hoc only - in accordance with agency policies
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54801/54802/54803/54804 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized