Practical Nurse

Summary

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in the VA Community Living Center (CLC) at the Syracuse VA Medical Center manage patient care per VA practice and licensure, provide practical nursing for diverse needs, respond to emergencies, adjust care as conditions change, administer medications, document actions, uphold safety and infection control, educate patients and families, promote privacy and dignity, and collaborate as responsible team members.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) as a recognized essential member of the health care team., includes but is not limited to the following: Manages patient/resident care issues in accordance with VA practice and LPN licensure. Maintains knowledge and skills to care for a wide range of patients/residents, including those with acute and chronic illnesses. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients/residents with various physical and/or behavioral problems. Recognizes and effectively intervenes in potential or emergent situations, instituting emergency measures when indicated (Rapid Response, Code Blue/Green). Demonstrates ability to independently adjust or modify care to meet changing patient/resident needs, notifying RN or provider for concurrence. Promptly recognizes and facilitates treatment for urgent needs such as hypoglycemia, acute shortness of breath, chest pain, seizures, stroke symptoms, and mental health issues. Provides high-quality nursing care using traditional and non-traditional modalities, considering age, physical, emotional, social, cultural, and population-specific needs. Demonstrates knowledge of standard precautions, medical asepsis, and sterile technique, applying these principles in the CLC. Prepares, administers, and documents actions taken with medications, including patient/resident responses. Reports any change in patient/resident condition to RN or MD/LIP. Recognizes and responds to staff/patient/resident safety needs and environmental cleanliness, following all safety procedures and infection prevention/control principles. Serves and protects the medical center by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, EEO, federal, state, and local requirements, and Joint Commission and OSHA standards. Promotes an environment of respect for individual patient/resident and caregiver support persons' rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Provides education to patients/residents/families and acts as a partner in care planning, including goals of care. Serves as a responsible member of the nursing team, interacting appropriately with patients/residents, family members, professionals, and support personnel, incorporating customer service standards. Performs other duties as assigned VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Night Shift Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 11861F, 11862F, 11863F, 11864F 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. 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. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. 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: 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: GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (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. GS-5. (a)Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.(b) 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.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6. (a) Completion of at least one (1)