Career Center

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS announcement. Applicants will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis. This announcement will close when filled. *This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program.* 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. 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. 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. Physical Standards: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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-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 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:(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. 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.(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. (g) 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. GS-06:(a) 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. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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 LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. (j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Preferred Experience: - Licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Iowa ["The LPN provides support for Dermatology procedures and general clinic functions and support. The LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the Dermatology Team (Patient, Medical and Surgical Providers, RN Case Managers, and Clerical Staff) and additional members (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services) involved in providing care to the patient. - Incumbent is required to complete initial orientation and competency as well as ongoing mandatory training and annual mandatory review as scheduled/assigned. - The incumbent is required to complete and maintain VA approved BLS certification. Incumbent is required to complete and maintain competency in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) Level 2 and Safe Patient Handling. - The incumbent makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. - The incumbent demonstrates 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 to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs, HCTs, NAs. - The incumbent serves as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, profession and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. - The LPN prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observe for physical changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/ treatment, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes and reporting any deviations from the norm to the RN or provider. - Opens and prepares exam and procedure rooms for patient care, assuring the rooms are cleaned, organized. - Show patients to exam rooms and prepare them for the Medical or Surgical provider. - Prepare, organize and maintain sterile field for dermatology procedures. Prepare sterile surgical field with required items for specified procedures. - Handle instruments, supplies and equipment during dermatology surgery procedures, ranging from simple to complex. - Maintain high fidelity procedure for management of dermatology specimens within the clinic, labeling and preparing dermatology specimens for transfer to pathology department. - Performs /applies dressings, dressing changes as directed which may require superficial packing. - Provide phototherapy treatments for patients. - Remove sutures and skin staples per provider order. - Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication. - The LPN performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care in CPRS. - Completes delegated procedures and treatments. - Knowledge and ability to promptly recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance, and effectively intervene as directed when appropriate. - Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions. - Incumbent possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment. - Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights. - Promotes patient and personnel safety. - Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. - 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. - Implements provider orders within the LPN scope of practice following policy and procedure. - Knowledge and skills sufficient to transport patients by wheelchair or litter by using safe patient handling skills and utilizes correct infection control procedures. - Knowledge and skills sufficient to lift and move patients, utilizing equipment and skills. Maintains correct body positions. - Knowledge to communicate effectively via telephone, computer or Vocera. - Knowledge and skills sufficient to use, clean, and maintain equipment as noted in the SOP and RME policies.- Routinely check expiration dates of supplies and stocks items. -Assists in the monitoring and management of clinic medical and surgical supplies. - Answers telephones and assists with questions. - Places work orders for unit. - Assists with data collection as needed. - Participates in Readiness Rounds. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]