Practical Nurse - Community Based Outpatient Clinic

Summary

The LPN provides patient centered care to the Poughkeepsie outpatient clinic using the Patient Aligned Care Team model. Using broad working knowledge of nursing procedures - the LPN will provide a broad range of direct - age-specific patient care activities and supportive services under the guidance and supervision of the Registered Nurse.

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.

• 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
• 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
• English Language Proficiency:
  Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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-3. None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below:
  • (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
  • (b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section
    
    C) 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
  • (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-5.
  • (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
  • (b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
  • (c) 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
  • (d) Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and/or prescribed treatment regimes.
  • (e) 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.
  • (f) 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.
  • (g) 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.
  • (h) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
• GS-6.
  • (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.
  • (b) Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
  • (c) Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions
  • (d) Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.
  • (e) In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors.
  • (f) Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.
  • (g) Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately…