Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse

Overview

Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the nursing and treatment teams. The LPN provides basic age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients in Community Living Center - with physical - mental - behavioral - or psychosocial needs - according to assignment and training. Performance of duties requires specialized knowledge and skills to care for acutely ill medical - psychiatric - and/or geriatric patients in Community Living Center - inpatient and outpatient areas.

• The LPN provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients according to nursing standards and CAVHS policy and procedure; duties include privacy and safety maintenance, data collection for outpatients and new admissions, and observation of patient condition.
• Actively contributes to nursing and interdisciplinary team conferences; assists in the nursing management of patients with complex problems; contributes to development, implementation, and evaluation of the Nursing Care Plan and/or Interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
• Provide care including bathing, feeding, turning and positioning, ambulation, and age-specific considerations; observe and document signs and symptoms; administer prescribed medications as policy allows; document patient responses and report changes to RN/MD-DO.
• Recognize and respond to equipment issues, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies; report to appropriate personnel for corrective action; perform emergency measures as directed and assist in resuscitation when needed.
• Observe, identify, and respond to patient needs for care, including medication administration, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education; provide education to patients and/or families about disease processes, medications, and treatment regimes.
• Prepare for and administer medications and treatments, and document actions; monitor patient responses and document deviations from normal to RN/MD-DO.
• Work under general supervision of an RN or MD/DO; maintain broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures; perform more complex procedures subject to higher-level review.

• Basic Requirements:
• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy.
• Education:
  
  Graduate of a practical nursing program approved by the appropriate State agency and/or NLNAC accreditation at program completion.
• Licensure:
  Full-active-current and unrestricted LPN licensure in a U.S. State/Territory/Columbus (District of Columbia).
• English Language Proficiency:
  Proficient in spoken and written English as required by law.
• Grade Determinations:
  See KSAs and experience requirements for GS-3 to GS-6 (as applicable to the position).
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  Demonstrated ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care; ability to educate patients/families; ability to work with the nursing team; ability to administer medications and document actions; ability to respond to emergencies; ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and seek assistance as needed; ability to establish constructive relationships with patients and families; and to promote privacy and dignity in care delivery.

• Pay:
  Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)
• Parental Leave:
  Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment
• Retirement:
  Federal pension and 401K options
• Insurance:
  Federal health/vision/dental/life/long-term care
• Telework:
  Not available
• Travel/Relocation:
  Not authorized