Practical Nurse

Summary

This position serves as a Licensed Practical Nurse aligned under the Nursing - and Ambulatory Care service within The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center. The position is assigned to the MARQUETTE CBOC and must foster and promote a "team concept" and remain flexible and open to contributing to all areas of the CBOC. The Licensed Practical Nurse is cross trained for varied major duties in order to serve as a resource to the team members.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• US citizenship Current - full - active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a state - territory or commonwealth of US Graduate of an approved school of practical or vocational nursing
• 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
• 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
• - Individuals granted a license by jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• Current BLS certification (American Heart Association)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).IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE - YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION
• Grade Determinations:GS-3: None beyond the Basic Requirements
• GS-4:Must have completed 6 months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR Graduated from an approved school and have 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 Graduated 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
• 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 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
• 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: 1-2 years of primary care LPN experience preferred
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G13
• The full performance level of this vacancy is Grade 6
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• Requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• Demonstrates Patient Centered Care (PCC) through the use of effective communication with patients - families - visitors - and members of the interdisciplinary team - including the patient in mutual goal setting - and providing patient advocacy when appropriate
• Major Duties Include but not limited: Conducts a variety of clinics effectively including - but not limited to - general medicine - optometry - women wellness - neurology - etc
• Utilizes appropriate organization and priority setting to maintain quality care in clinics with increasing numbers of patients scheduled during a defined time frame
• Prepares and assists with various examinations including general exams - gynecological exams - and minor surgical procedures
• Maintains aseptic techniques
• Provides all basic nursing care for a variety of patients in the Primary Care setting
• Demonstrates competency in a number of complicated skills and procedures including but not limited to skin suture and staple removal - culture specimen collection - dressing changes - etc
• Participates in orientation and training of new staff members to policy and procedures and work methodologies of Primary Care
• Accurately computes medication dosages and administers medication according to facility policies and procedures
• Records and accurately documents patient information such as patient's physical condition - emotional response - and results of procedures
• Notes changes in a patient's condition which warrants notification of a provider prior to appointment times
• Recognizes and responds appropriately in emergency situations
• Initiates CPR in critical emergencies
• Provides education to patients and family members regarding preparations for diagnostic tests - x-rays - and endoscopic procedures as well as general patient information about upcoming appointments and medications
• Inventory and stocks supplies daily
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full Time Mon-Fri 08:00am-4:30pm
• Location: Marquette VA Clinic 1414 West Fair Avenue - Suite 285 - Marquette - MI 49855
• Telework: Not Suitable
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:09644F -09645F -09646F -09647F
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
• Salary Ranges: GS03-$44 -860-$58 -311 GS04-$47 -649-$61 -951 GS05-$50 -613-$65 -791 GS06-$53 -758-$69 -883

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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