Licensed Practical Nurse- Long Term Care

The LPN demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Has a detailed working knowledge of practical nursing skills and procedures. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Administers medications via all routes, and carries out basic treatments as ordered, monitors patients' response to medication and treatments, reports changes and documents effectiveness.
• Functions as a member of the team by participating in planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care using a focused assessment to care for the adult patient with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Participates in providing or reinforcing effective patient education to both patient and their family in relation to disease process, medications and treatments, procedures and surgeries, equipment and devices or any education deemed necessary. Documents the effectiveness of the education.
• Assists the patient in activities of daily living toward the attainment of rehabilitative/restorative goals.
• Performs escort and sitter duties based upon the care needs of the veteran.
• Assess life threatening conditions and initiates and/or assists with CPR or other appropriate interventions including prompt notification of an RN or MD/DO to provide appropriate direction and intervention.
• Demonstrates initiative during medical or psychiatric emergencies by applying the learned skills and knowledge to resolve clinical emergencies.
• Assists others in the use of preventive techniques or measures when interacting with patients who display disruptive, acting out behaviors and practices the use of the least restrictive environment.
• Adheres to Medical Center policies and procedures when caring for patients on suicidal codes or in restraints or in seclusion.
• Applies ethical principles to practice and seeks assistance to address ethical issues with care.
• The ability to work independently in the accomplishment of a wide variety of duties including setting priorities and coordinating work.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with both internal and external customers.
• Ability to identify customer concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
• Must be customer oriented and conduct themselves in a professional, courteous, and friendly manner at all times.
• Collaborates, communicates, sets priorities, and organizes assigned work and delegates appropriate tasks/ responsibilities in order to expedite patient care while ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations.
• Participates in unit-based performance improvement projects that ultimately improve patient care and/or patient outcomes.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards or supply deficiencies and reports to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
• Actively seeks out and participates in educational activities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills. Shares new knowledge gained with other staff to advance nursing practice.
• Serves as preceptor, mentor and/or coach to other nursing staff.

• 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: Written and Spoken
• Physical Standards: All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required.
• 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.
• 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. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

• None beyond the basic requirements.

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or
• Graduation from an approved school 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
• Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.

• 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
• 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.

• 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.
• Technically proficient 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; 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.