Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (PACT) GS7 performs complex nursing assignments within their setting. The LPN possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedure and practices. The LPN work is of considerable difficulty and is performed under general supervision. Demonstrates knowledge - experience - skill - and self-motivation to carry out complex patient assignments - which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervision

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
• Exceptions include 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.GS-07: The GS-07 grade level is for select - complex LPN/LVN positions - as established by each health care facility
• To be advanced - employees must meet all of the following standards - provided the standard is part of their assignment
• Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent - fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN
• The following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) must be met: Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive outcomes
• Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control - resistant or abusive behaviors - or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions
• Skill - creativity - and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels
• Comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care
• Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery
• Preferred Experience: Preferred Candidate will have 3 years of outpatient medical-surgical or primary care experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work requires physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching - and lifting moderately heavy items such as assisting patients - manuals - record boxes - or equipment
• The work requires above average agility and dexterity
• The incumbent may be required to travel between VA and/or CBOCs and possession of a valid driver's license is required.

Duties

• Documents care provided
• observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms - observing changes in patient's condition (e.g. - behavior shifts - mood changes - skin coloring - appetite - etc.) Based on assigned area - performs nursing care procedures (e.g. - sterile technique - blood glucose monitoring - wound care - oxygen therapy - deep breathing and coughing - and specimen collection) according to policy - guidelines and oversight from senior nursing staff
• Contribute to the development of the plan of care for assigned veterans outlining program modalities and updates per policy and as changes occur
• Complies with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for pretreatment/cleaning Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) in applicable patient care setting
• Promotes and demonstrates nursing concepts in the Medical Center
• Works in collaboration with the Registered Nurse (RN) - and or Health Care Provider (HCP)
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Assists other staff in order to prioritize the overall veteran care needs and adjusts the plan of care as needed
• Has astute assessment skills - which allow for observation of obvious and subtle changes in the veteran health condition
• Responds diligently to the veteran changes and deteriorating condition in emergent situations - notifying appropriate personnel in a timely manner
• Reports and records significant veterans information received from other team members and is able to analyze and implement modifications based on these reports
• Demonstrates knowledge - skills and ability to perform treatments - procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties
• Responsible for participating within unit based and/or organizational level shared Governance councils - utilizing clinical expertise - evidence-based practice - and knowledge to assist with finding solutions to problems or issues to improve the quality care provided to veterans
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday 7:00 am-3:30 pm - or 7:30 am-4:00pm or 8:00 am-4:30pm or 8:30 am-5:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for well qualified candidates
• 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: Ad hoc only