Government and Policy, Healthcare, Other, Healthcare, Practitioner and Technician
Job Description
Practical Nurse (Acute Care)
Qualifications
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
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
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)
OR 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
OR 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: 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: In addition to the basic requirements, 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
Licensed Practical Nurse 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
Licensed Practical Nurse GS-04 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
or Graduation from an approved school 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
Licensed Practical Nurse GS-05 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
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
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
Licensed Practical Nurse GS-06 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
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 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
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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 3 to GS 6
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over
Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over
Pushing, intermittent hours
Reaching above shoulder
Use of fingers
Both hands required
Walking
Standing
Kneeling
Repeated bending
Both legs required
Ability for rapid and muscular coordination simultaneously
Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
Ability to distinguish basic colors, shades of color
