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Licensed Practical Nurse

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Closing date
Sep 23, 2020

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Duties

Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse serves as a member of the Fredericksburg Community Based Outpatient Clinic nursing team. He/she provides care to Veterans according to hospital policy and regulations. The LPN performs a range of treatment procedures under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
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Responsibilities

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Duties progressively increase depending on the grade. Duties include but are not limited to:
  • Changing complex sterile dressings, power spraying selected wounds, inserting and irrigating urethral and suprapubic catheters, oral/nasopharyngeal and tracheal suctioning, pulse oximeter, giving treatment that require auxiliary equipment including but not limited to oxygen setup, tube feeding and irrigation of N/G tube. Broncho-pulmonary hygiene, blood and urine glucose monitoring, provide colostomy care and perform irrigations, initiate monitors, D/C IV's and peripheral IV dressing changes. Measure and record vital signs, I&O and perform and record ADL; make all types of beds, administer enemas, apply non-complex dressings, bandages or supports, apply external urinary drainage devices, give catheter care, collect laboratory specimens for urine, sputum feces and other types of drainage; care for pre-and postoperative/procedures of patients; care for body after death.
  • Prepare, administer and document medications, verify accuracy, regulates the rate of non-medicated IV solutions, transcribes written physician orders.
  • Report and/or document observation activities to the proper authority, document all pertinent data, including responses to certain medications and treatments, performs official duties related to the access of sensitive material.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the use and care of PPE, supplies and standard equipment, provide a safe environment and adhere to safety measures; recognize and report potential and/or existing safety hazards.
  • Respond appropriately to emergency situations; communicate with the customers in a effective manner that projects a positive cooperative image; inform the supervisor of other appropriate officials of any issues or potential incidents

Work Schedule: Full Time - 7:45am to 4:30pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
6

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process


Qualifications

All requirements must be met by closing date of this announcement.

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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in both written and spoken English (as required by 38 USC 7402(d) and 7407(d).
Physical Standards. The selected candidate is required to pass a pre-employment examination.

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-3: None beyond the basic requirements listed above. 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: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:

1. Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or

2. 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

3. 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.

1.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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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

6. 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.

1. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills.

8. 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 instruments.

9. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.

References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13

Applicants may be selected at any grade level of the announcement

Physical Requirements: This involves long periods of walking around the unit and requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, and reaching.

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.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; religions; 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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • License
  • Application for Associate Health Occupation - 10-2850c
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Application for Associate Health Occupation - 10-2850c
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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