Practical Nurse - Community Living Center

Overview

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) position is located in the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center in Fayetteville - NC - aligned under the Nursing - Geriatrics and Extended Care Service Line. The LPN/LVN provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients with increasingly complex needs in the Community Living Center (CLC) and Hospice/Rehabilitation settings in a manner that promotes quality health care.

Basic Requirements:

• 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
• (See Education section of this announcement for exceptions) 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:
  
  Requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
• 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
• 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
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• 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 (e.g., 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, 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 (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section
  
  C) and one year of experience in nursing care work
• GS-05:
  Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent; demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care; assists with orientation/training of less experienced staff; provides patient and family education; prepares and administers medications as permitted; observes and documents patient responses; recognizes urgent or emergent care needs
• GS-06:
  Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent; proficient in initiating and completing assigned duties; ability to organize care considering patient conditions; prepares and administers medications; observes for changes and reports; recognizes urgent or emergent situations; preceptor responsibilities; education and professional development

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 an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

• Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional:
  Contributes to the provision of optimum nursing care under the supervision of the Registered Nurse by carrying out activities such as coordinating resident care with other departments and preparing for scheduled appointments, tests, and procedures
• Provides nursing care to residents including feeding, bathing, shaving, wound care, dressings, warm and cold compresses, suppositories, and administering enemas
• Prepares, administers, and documents actions for commonly prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous)
• Calculates medication dosages, observes effectiveness, and documents findings
• Obtains and records resident vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, weight, respiration)
• Observes and reports physical and behavioral changes in resident status
• Administers and records treatments such as ostomy care, tracheotomy care, catheterizations, and tube feedings
• Collects lab specimens and assists with lifting/positioning of residents
• Assists with…