Licensed Practical Nurse

Overview

The incumbent serves as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the point of care within the Northeast Wisconsin Ambulatory Care (NEWAC) Division located at the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCS) in Cleveland. The LPN function is to provide quality nursing care to a culturally diverse veteran population of varying complexity in a variety of settings within the NEWAC Division.

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
:

• 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
• 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
• 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
• (Copy of License REQUIRED) 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, the following criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-3:
  None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4:
  Appointment at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c):
  Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, OR graduation from an approved school (which may be waived) and one year of nursing care experience in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical/nursing facility that provided practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques, OR graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-5:
  Must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes: demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to work with RN/MD to orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs)
• Provide education to patients and/or family members on common disease processes, medications, and prescribed treatment regimes
• Demonstrate professional interaction within the nursing team and with patients, families, and other staff
• Prepare, administer, and document actions for commonly prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous) as permitted by facility policy
• Observe and document patient responses to medications and report changes to RN or MD/DO
• Recognize and respond to breakage/malfunction of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, reporting for corrective action
• Under general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
• Broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures; more complex procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-6:
  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
• Proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Ability to carry out patient care based on the patient’s condition and to select appropriate order and sequence of procedures
• Accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information
• General supervision by an RN/MD/DO; ability to observe, identify, and respond to patient needs for care, including medication and education
• Consider emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors in care delivery
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments according to policies/procedures
• Monitor patient condition before, during, and after procedures and report changes
• Initiate emergency interventions as directed when urgent care is needed
• Recognize urgency and respond to emergency situations and coordinate with RN/MD/DO
• Demonstrate knowledge of human behavior to work effectively with patients, families, and staff
• Establish constructive relationships with patients and families to promote positive interactions and privacy/dignity in care
• Provide customer service in all interactions with patients and families
• Support duties for complex diagnostic tests and procedures, including preparation, examination support, handling specialized…