Summary

The Fayetteville VA Medical Center is now recruiting for Licensed Practical Nurse at its Goldsboro CBOC location. The Licensed Practical Nurse provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients in the Primary Care Clinic setting. He/She interacts - collaborates - and communicates effectively with the veteran - families - caregivers - professionals and other supportive staff both internal and external.

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:

• Preferred experience in Ambulatory Care Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Noncitizen may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part
• 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
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission] - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006 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)
• 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 below: (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.(d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques
• 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
• [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
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes.] (c) 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
• (d) 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
• Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO.(e) 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
• (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• (g) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• 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
• to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information
• Completed work [should need] only a general review by a registered nurse [(RN) or physician (MD/DO)] for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.(d) Ability to observe - identify and respond to the 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 - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors
• (e) Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• (f) Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• (g) Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations - and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members - and other staff
• (h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and 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 established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers
• (i) Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which include preparing the patient - 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
• (j) 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) References: VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13
• Dated - April 2003.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The full performance level of this vacancy is 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06 .Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards.

Duties

• The Licensed Practical Nurse provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory clinic setting
• He/she interacts - collaborates - and communicates effectively with the veteran - families - caregivers - professionals and other supportive staff both internal and external
• He/she initiates appropriate actions based on his/her observations of the patient's condition
• He/she requires a minimum of supervision and performs the functions listed below consistently with skill and effectiveness
• Duties are performed under the general supervision of a RN or Healthcare Provider (HCP)
• Individuals at this grade are expected to have broad working knowledge of practice nursing procedures - however - completion of more complex practices or procedures
• The LPN/LVN GS 6 Nurse is characterized by the following: 1
• Demonstrates proficiency in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties while providing care to diverse patient populations
• 2
• Maintains knowledge and ability to carry out patient care determined by the patient's condition utilizing judgement in selecting appropriate orders - procedures - and treatments
• and recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information to include urgent and emergent situations
• 3
• Observes - identifies and responds to patient needs for medication - medical equipment and patient/family education while considering emotional - cultural - socio-economic - and age-reeled factors
• 4
• Maintains knowledge and skill 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
• 5
• Establishes constructive and positive relationships with patients/families in order to promote open communication and socialization skills - taking into consideration human behavior - patient motivators and reactions to situations
• 6
• Respects patient/family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery by incorporating customer service standards with all interactions - to include both internal and external customers
• 7
• Maintains knowledge and skill for performing support duties during complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures
• 8
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs - Nursing Assistants (NA's) - Health Technicians (HT's) and provides support for more complex - specialized procedures
• 9
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge/skills and shares knowledge with peers to advance nursing practice
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Monday- Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required