Vocational Nurse(Short Stay Unit)

Summary

The LVN is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice. 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.

Duties

Direct Patient Care Observation/Action - Identifies subtle changes in condition, both physical and emotional, which have relevance to health status. - Applies practical knowledge of human response to situation. -Reports changes in a timely manner and initiates appropriate action. - Collects data and documents findings on new admissions and at regular intervals throughout the patient's care period. Direct Care Planning -Participates in planning the nursing care provided by demonstrating ability to vary order of assigned procedures based on a patient's condition. -Uses experience and knowledge in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines. -Recommends changes in the Plan of Care. Direct Patient Care Implementation Performs technical skills specific to assigned are under the supervision of an RN and in accordance with Department of Nursing Service Policy, California LVN Scope of Practice guidelines, and the LVN Competency-based checklists. -Utilizes proper body mechanics, equipment and supplies to prevent injury and avoid inappropriate use. -Records all significant observations and actions on appropriate forms in accordance with documentation guidelines. -Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. -Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient condition from prescribed medications/ treatments, while promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. Take specific to commonly prescribed medication. -Participates and assists in resuscitation procedures in the event of cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. -Applies knowledge and skills to carry out assigned patient care based on the patient's condition. -Uses judgment to select the appropriate order and sequences of procedures. o Applies knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests. Education -Initiates patient/family education in relation to routine treatments or procedures. - Determines patient/family concerns, avoids assumptions, and provides clear explanation. -Reinforces patient teaching of treatments/procedures before and during the procedure by reinforcing information supplied by the nurse or physician. -Teaches patient and family members principles of health, self-care, equipment usage, and treatments. -Uses prepared teaching materials and instruct patients about invasive diagnostic and pre- and post-operative procedures including methods to prevent complications and facility recovery. -Observes, identifies and responds to patients needs that includes education for equipment-assisted care, and patient/family/care giver education. -Actively seeks out education opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practices. Preferred Experience: 1-2 years of clinic experience BLS Work Schedule: Mon -Fri ,10 hour shifts. Hours will be determined by the needs of the facility. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. 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) 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 - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia 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-03: 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-04: (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-05: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the next lower level (GS-4). Additionally an LPN as this level will be able to demonstrate: knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems; 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 ind