Career Center

The Dayton VA Medical Center is recruiting for well-qualified Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). The LPN will function in the Community Living Center. The LPN is a graduate of an approved school of practical/vocational nursing and is licensed to practice in the United States and/or its territories. The LPN provides nursing care, requiring application of basic knowledge of biological, physical, behavioral, social and nursing sciences, to groups/ individuals, under direction of the registered nurse. Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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. 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. d. 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). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, 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. (1) 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. (2) GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) 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. (3) GS-5 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities 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) 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. (4) 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, skills, and and abilities 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) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Supervisory Controls: The Community Living Center LPN to Nursing Service. The employee is under the supervision of a Nurse Manager or other immediate supervisor who provides the administrative supervision and general instruction, plans and assigns work, assigns time schedules, approves leave, and completes performance evaluations. Clinical supervision is provided by a registered nurse, nurse manager, or other provider. Employee is responsible for being self-directed in the delivery of patient care under moderate to close supervision and instruction by the supervisor. The Associate Director for Patient Care Services provides professional practice oversight. References: . VA Directive and Handbook 5019. VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 APRIL 10, 2003 PART II APPENDIX G13 II-G13-2 VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-1-, LPN Qualification Standards 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: 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 inpatient lifts are provided. The employee may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The employee may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The employee must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. If required as a condition of employment, the employee must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing. ["The LPN: Is able 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. Observes, identifies and responds 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. Recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Has 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. Performs 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 out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Duties that maybe be a part of the LPN role:\nAssists with the movement and mobility of the patient/resident by turning, lifting, moving, transferring and escorting patient/resident.\nPerforms assigned technical procedures.\nProvides for nutrition, elimination and hygiene needs of the patient/resident.\nPrepares and administers medications, as outlined in the policy and procedure manual.\nAssists with diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.\nParticipates in the admission, transfer and discharge of the patient/resident.\nInserts and replaces nasogastric feeding tube.\nReplaces a non-sutured gastrostomy tube in which the tract has been established (usually 3-4 weeks after insertion).\nReplaces a non-sutured suprapubic catheter after the initial replacement has been done by the physician or registered nurse.\nProvides teaching, such as medications and equipment/special instructions, to patients/residents and their families.\nInitiates IV Therapy (Must have an Ohio Board of Nursing Intravenous Therapy card or be approved to start IVs through their state licensing authority).\nComplies with the instructions provided for cleaning and preparing non-critical RME for reprocessing.\nRecognizes critical patient/resident care situations and initiates effective actions in emergencies. Maintains current BLS and initiates and performs when indicated. Work Schedule: 0730-1600, 1530-0000, or 2330-0800, including weekends and holidays; 12 hour shifts may also be available.\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized- 14% of base pay\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not available\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]