Vocational Nurse

Summary

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides resident-centered practical nursing care on a Community Living Center (CLC) long-term care unit serving Veterans with chronic medical and behavioral health conditions - including pain - stress - and behavior management - IV therapy - and complex wound care - while functioning under RN direction to educate Veterans and families and support high-quality - interdisciplinary care.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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
• Exceptions include 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 for VHA employment OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• 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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - 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
• LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. - medication administration)
• however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• GS-04 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• or(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
• or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 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 serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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 - 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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 and Certifications 2-3 years of experience as in LPN/LVN experience Basic Life Support (BLS)

Duties

• Major Duties: Provides practical nursing care to Community Living Center residents with complex medical and psychiatric conditions (e.g. - skin impairment - mobility issues - pain - depression - fall risk - assaultive behavior - end-of-life needs) in a long-term care - home-like environment under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN)
• Administers and documents prescribed treatments and medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and IV where permitted by policy) - monitors for physical and emotional changes - and promptly reports deviations in condition to the RN or MD/DO
• Uses effective clinical judgment and communication skills to organize - prioritize - and deliver resident-centered care that preserves autonomy - rights - dignity - cultural preferences - and diversity
• Participates in interdisciplinary care planning - reviews treatment plans and care-tracker reports - documents observed or reported changes - and advocates for resident needs and concerns in collaboration with the care team
• Collaborates as a responsible member of the interdisciplinary team - supporting team decisions - assisting other team members with workload - and working closely with residents' families on care needs and goals
• Assists the RN with admissions and discharges - gathers and documents resident information - and adjusts the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the resident's condition and the interdisciplinary care plan
• Provides resident and family education on self-care - disease processes - behavior modification - coping skills - medications - and treatment regimens - tailored to age-related and cultural needs
• Maintains readiness and compliance with Joint Commission and other long-term care regulatory standards - including participation in Geriatrics and Extended Care and Nursing Service committees as assigned
• Protects information security and privacy - following VA and VHA policies for safeguarding printed and electronic sensitive data and complying with computer access and confidentiality requirements
• Contributes to staff development and quality improvement by orienting and mentoring new personnel (LVNs - CNAs/NAs/HTs) - serving as a preceptor for complex procedures (at higher grades) - practicing strong customer service - and actively seeking and sharing educational opportunities
• Work Schedule: May vary depending on assigned facility needs Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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