Licensed Practical Nurse-Surgical

Summary

The LPN GS-0620 is a position within the Nursing, Ambulatory Care service line at Lebanon Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center. Under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse (RN), the licensed practical nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the nursing team and assists the RN in the care of patients in acute, subacute, or chronic states of illness. The LPN delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Interviews patients, performs a general systems' appraisal of the patient's condition, and collects objective and subjective data. Collaborates with the RN in developing, selecting the appropriate sequence of procedures, and implementing a plan of care, individualized, to carry out the nursing needs of the patient. Contributes to the interdisciplinary team (IDT) in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the patient's outpatient treatment and discharge plan. Collaborates with members of other services regarding changes in patient's condition, laboratory results, responses to treatment plan, and other pertinent parameters of care. Modifies the patient's plan of care in accordance with recognized nursing standards and prescribed treatment. Meets patients' needs by direct physical care and psychosocial intervention and by assuming responsibility for nursing management of complex patients. Promotes positive patient/family/staff relationship by utilizing appropriate communication skills. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/ or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/ procedures. Observes patient for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition, documenting changes and reporting deviations to the RN or MD/DO, recognizing side effects and contraindications. Provides patient instruction regarding medications. e. Performs support duties for complex diagnostic test and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient; assisting in the diagnostic examination; preparing specimens; tracking pathologies; managing the operating room (OR) calendar; preparing and passing instruments; and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and after the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/ licensed vocations nurses (LVNs) or Nursing Assistants (NAs) or Health Technicians (HTs), related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/ procedures. Anticipates and recognizes emergency situations, responding promptly, notifying the RN or MD/DO and instituting appropriate actions according to policy and procedures. Supports the patient and/or family members/significant other in the integration of the patient plan of care toward achievement of discharge objectives. Educates patients and significant others in their medical condition on prescribed medications, equipment, treatments, and activity level. Documents patient education and patient's response. Provides one-to-one interactions to explore feelings and behavior and promote interpersonal relationships, communication, and socialization skills in accordance with the patient's plan of care. Enhances nursing knowledge and skills through education opportunities and participates in presentation of unit educational conferences. Participates in unit quality management programs. Follows established safety practices and reporting to the supervisor or RN, unsafe conditions, unsafe practices, or any occupational illness or injury. Adheres to all safety and health standards, regulations, and work practices. Performs other duties as assigned. VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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. 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. 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) Grade Determinations: 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: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: 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 Technici