Licensed Practical Nurse

Company: US Department of Veterans Affairs
Location: Fayetteville
Posted on: May 4, 2020

Job Description:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), works under the direction of the Registered Nurse and or physician with minimal supervision and is accountable to the Clinic Nurse Manager. He/she demonstrates self-direction and critical thinking skills in carrying out simple to the most complex practical nursing care assignments for variable patient populations. He/she provides safe, timely and individualized nursing care to patients in the hospital setting.

Education

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.htmlThe Licensed Practical Nurse will influence and support the flow of patients throughout their respective clinics. They will be consistently respectful and thoughtfully function as a clinical associate in support of their physician or ARNP.

• 
  
• Duties and knowledge required upon entry, will include but are not limited to:
  
  
  • 
    
  • Patient intake
  • Documentation
  • Blood draws and Collection
  • Diabetic checks
  • Point of care testing including FSG and EKGs
  • Vital signs
  • Health screening including ETOH, Depression and PTSD
  • LPN will float within primary care and clinic lab as needed.
  • He/she will provide education to the patient on disease processes and treatment plans as well as follow-up.
  • Perform other duties under the direction of the registered nurse and nurse manager as assigned.
  • Computer literate, have mastery over keyboarding and general competency with common e-mail and word processing procedures.
    
    
    Basic Requirements:
    
    
    • 
      
    • 
      
      
      • 
        
      • Must be Citizen of the United States.
      • Must be a graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and accredited by The National League for Nursing.
      • Must have a current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia.
      • English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in 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-3 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-4. Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. 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. 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.
                
                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 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.
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  • 
                    
                  • 
                    
                    
                    • 
                      
                    • 
                      
                      
                      • 
                        
                      • Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical patient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        

Keywords: US Department of Veterans Affairs, Fayetteville , Licensed Practical Nurse, Healthcare , Fayetteville, North Carolina