Career Center

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Lee County is responsible for the delivery of care to Veterans in the primary care and/or specialty units. The LPN provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients and families within the clinic. Functions as a team member under the guidance of a Registered Nurse and is accountable for adhering to established policies, protocols, standards of care and standards of practice. 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: 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; or Health care education in the military service or training in the military which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure; or Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Licensure: Candidates must be currently licensed to practice as practical or vocational nurse in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, and must possess current, full active and unrestricted license registration of said license. English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402(d) and 7407 (d). (No person that is not proficient in spoken and written English will be appointed under authority of 38 USC Chapter 73 or 74 to serve in a direct patient-care capacity. 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: 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. GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements listed above. GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN; 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-05: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 level or equivalent and Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. GS-06: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the LPN AND 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; Ability 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 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 or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. 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: For specialty position experience in outpatient specialty services - Preferred. Primary Care/PACT doctor's office experience - Preferred. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification - Required. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G6, License Practical Qualification Standards dated April 10, 2003. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The LPN within the medical center and CBOCs may require shift work and or rotation of tour assignments. Routinely requires regular and recurring bending, stooping, walking, stretching, lifting, and repositioning and transportation of patients or similar activities. Work requires the ability to physically intervene with disruptive patients and protect self and others from injury using the knowledge gained from ongoing training. ["Duties include but are not limited to the following: The LPN selected for primary care will work with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) including a Physician, Registered Nurse, Medical Support Assistants, and other members of the ancillary team to provide care to a panel of patients. The LPN selected for specialty will work in the specialty units including cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, and EKG clinics. The LPNs will work under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse. The LPN selected must have the skills, knowledge, and determination for self-direction and concentrated effort to carry out complex practical nursing care assignments with patients ranging in age from young adulthood to the most senior years. The LPN must be able to: Provide direct nursing care to patients in an outpatient setting. Document care provided observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms, observing changes in patient's condition. Take vital signs, height and weight, and records in CPRS according to policy and procedure. Identify, report, and document medication errors/discrepancies, reactions and side effects immediately according to policy and procedure. Provide patient education for common disease processes, medications, and treatment regimes. Promote performance improvement initiatives, identifies problems, collects data, and supports change. Maintain stock levels of supplies and medications. Assist with treatments and procedures. Document appropriately. Assist in other areas as needed for patient care needs. per VHA Directive 1177, you must possess current BLS certification through the American Heart Association (AHA), as you will provide direct clinical care to patients in this position. Work Schedule: Available tours: Monday - Friday or extended hours tour Tuesday - Saturday for a total of 40 hour work week. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Practical Nurse/PD04009F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized to highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May Be Authorized for highly qualified applicants Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results