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Licensed Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration | Erie, PA

Posted Date 2/04/2025
Description This position will report to the Manager, Primary Care. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide direct patient care and perform all duties within the scope of their license. LPNs deliver fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. While the LPN brings principles and theory to the role, the acquisition of critical thinking skills will be developed in real patient care situations.Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Functional Statement #: Licensed Practical Nurse, T38 Hybrid - GS-0620-03T6 Appendix G13

Major Duties include but not limited to:
  • Explains procedures to patients, using language which they understand and displays consideration of age related and gender specific patient needs.
  • Responds to patients calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the patient in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions.
  • Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff, the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT}, patients, and visitors.
  • Provides emotional support to patients, and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes.
  • Report and record patient information and uses good judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patients' condition.
  • Prepares and administers prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, inhaled, injectable medications, and suppositories, according to policy and procedure. Administers adult immunizations per protocol. Correctly documents medications given or omitted in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) according to established policy and procedures. Documents effects of medications.
  • Recognizes emergent or acute situations, responds appropriately, and reports to the RN or provider promptly. Reports all untoward patient incidents, including medication errors, to Charge Nurse/Nurse Supervisor, and initiates patient incident report. Respond appropriately to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest, choking, and disaster or tire drills.
  • Provides teaching in activities of daily living (AOL's) to patients and encourages them to participate in ADL's leading to increased independence. Provides or reinforces patient teaching related to medications, disease process, procedures, and self-care activities. Participates in more complex teaching for patient self-care, such as diabetic care, self-catheterization, etc.
  • Performs complex treatments / procedures according to policy, including but not limited to: wound and ear irrigations, dressings, catheterizations, bladder scanning, oxygen, weights, vital signs, glucose finger sticks, and EKGs. Collects specimens such as urine, sputum, blood, and stool for laboratory analysis.
  • Sets up / performs treatments that require auxiliary equipment, for example: oxygen, spirometry, nebulizer treatments.
  • Adheres to and appropriately utilizes the Safe Patient Handling Program standards, practices, and recommendations. Lifts, transfers, and repositions patients safely, according to policy and procedure, seeking assistance when appropriate, to prevent injury to the patient and self.
  • Prepares patients for tests, examinations, treatments and surgery. Procedures include, but are not limited to: insertion of chest tubes, thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar puncture, and liver biopsies.
  • Contributes to the PACT interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the patient treatment plan and promotes patient participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence.
  • Provides competent care which is safe for both self and others under adverse conditions, including patient care situations, exposure to communicable diseases.
  • Follows environmental policies and procedures related to the Erie VAMC GEMS program, recycling, and the safe use, handling and disposal of chemical products. Shall follow all policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and requirements and be good stewards of the environment through pollution prevention, waste minimization and resource conservation.
  • Supports the Environment of Care Management Program by completing scheduled training on safety, health, environmental and fire protection requirements related to their assigned tasks; following safe work practices and procedures, including the use of appropriate equipment, and any required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) item; recognizing and reporting unsafe and unhealthful conditions, initiating prompt corrective action within their authority, and promptly reporting work-related injuries or illnesses to supervisory personnel.
  • Supports and actively participates in initiatives such as ICARE and Patient Centered Care.
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedApplicants 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.
  • 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. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include:
    1. 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.
    2. VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.
    3. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C.
  • 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.
  • Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  • English Language Proficiency. LPNs or LVNs 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: In addition to the basic requirements, 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-3None beyond the basic requirements.GS-4
  • 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.
GS-5
  • Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
  • 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 Registered Nurse (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.
  • 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 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, 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, reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
  • Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.
GS-6
  • 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 carry out patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to recognize, report and record patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a (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 / 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.
  • Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to 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. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other 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.
  • Seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Salary45,968.00 - 79,953.00 Annual

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