Career Center

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is located in the Community Living Center (CLC) and is an integral part of a team of nursing staff that provide care to long term care residents, end of life/hospice residents, residents with specific rehabilitation or skilled nursing needs for a limited time frame, and residents with various stages of dementia. The CLC promotes resident centered care and cultural transformation to create a home like environment. 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. Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education: Must be a graduate of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. License: Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate 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: GS-06: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05 LPN/LVN: Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & 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. Preferred Experience: Long Term Care References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G -13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Heavy carrying ( 15-44 pounds), Pushing (4 hours); pulling hand over hand, reaching above shoulder, Walking ( 8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Repeated bending (2 hours), use of fingers, both hands required; both legs required, Far Vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of color, depth perception; both eyes required, Hearing (aide may be permitted). Environmental Factors: Working closely with others, working with hands in water, protracted or irregular hours of work. ["Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Administering medications; Participates in assessing, implementing, and evaluating resident learning needs for resident and family teaching. Documents on the resident teaching record; Assists in diagnostic and treatment procedures; Recognizes and responds appropriately to potentially life-threatening situations as they develop. Modifies the plan of care and notifies the appropriate authorities; Performs catheterization and establish drainage systems, irrigate catheters, and perform colostomy irrigation according to established procedure. Replace suprapubic catheters; Participates in admission and orientation of the new resident. Documents discharge instructions; Tube feeding and bathing acutely ill residents, providing lifting, turning and oral hygiene; Observes residents and reporting gross changes in their vital signs, symptoms and general physical/emotional conditions for inclusion in their care plan; Performs treatments such as wound card, making complex sterile dressing changes, maintaining rotating tourniquets; Contributing to team planning and development of individualized, interdisciplinary plan of care to facilitate safe, efficient care and transport; Responding to emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary arrest; Uses therapeutic intervention to prevent and control inappropriate and disturbed behavior; Utilizes equipment, materials, medications and supplies in a variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures that support nursing care of all residents. Work Schedule: 12 Hour Shifts, Rotating Weekends\nCompressed/Flexible: Available\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 502-00266-F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]