Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse - New Grad Residency Program allows new LPN graduates to work in a variety of settings to gain knowledge and experience in different nursing areas. The LPN uses the Nursing process and evidence-based practice to care for adult and geriatric residents in the long-term care and palliative care environment and is responsible for all elements of the nursing process when providing direct resident care. The position may require travel between two campuses.

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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - 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.: 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-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) 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 Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G-13 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-04
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - manual dexterity - and clear distinctive speech
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting and bending
• Bending - lifting - and carrying light items may be required
• The incumbent must be able to demonstrate nursing procedures requiring technical skills.

Duties

• This is an Open & Continuous Announcement and will stay open until 5/1/26 to fill current and future New Licensed Practical Nurse Graduates
• The LPN (New Graduate Program) functions under the guidance and supervision of the Registered Nurse and is accountable for demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to perform patient care and supportive responsibilities appropriate to the age of the patients served
• The LPN is responsible to the Community Living Center (CLC) Nurse Manager for overall work performance and evaluation maintaining acceptable standards within a health care setting
• Responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Manages patient care issues in accordance with VA practice and LPN licensure
• Maintains knowledge and skills to care for a wide range of patients including those with acute and chronic illnesses
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of disease condition - nursing principles/standards/practices to coordinate nursing care in the CLC setting Reviews records and reports Vital Signs - weight - blood glucose levels and/or abnormal findings to the RN and/ or Provider Possesses firm knowledge of VA protocols - VHA Directives - VA HVCS SOP/Policies related to patient management - documentation - and procedural requirements such as the reading and implementation of provider orders - vocational nursing care - and safe administration of medication Demonstrates knowledge - skill - and ability to promptly recognize and effectively intervene in potential or emergent situations
• instituting emergency measures when indicated-Rapid Response - Code Blue/Green
• Responsibilities include prompt recognition and facilitation of treatment for urgent needs such as hypoglycemia - acute shortness of breath - acute chest pain - seizures - stroke symptoms and/or mental health issues LPNs at the GS-3 Maintains and implements knowledge of anatomy and physiology as well as scientific principles underlying nursing care and procedures
• Provides high quality nursing care using traditional and non-traditional modalities Demonstrates knowledge of standard precautions - medical asepsis - and sterile technique with the ability to correctly apply these principles and techniques with implementation on the CLC Provides education to patients/families and acts as a partner in patient care planning to include goals of care
• Appropriately prepares - administers - and documents actions taken with medications
• Reports changes in patient's condition to RN or MD/LIP Takes an active role in health promotion and disease prevention to improve patient outcomes Communicates calmly - courteously - and professionally with patients - personnel - and visitors while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and VA HVHCS Medical Center policies Uses advanced skills to communicate with verbally or physically abusive patients or visitors using Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) principles and policy guidelines including Code Green Demonstrates engagement by regular attendance at staff meetings Demonstrates knowledge of medical equipment and supplies with advanced skill to set up and/or operate specialized equipment Completes all documentation in CPRS and Caribou prior to the end of each tour Recognizes and responds to staff/patient safety needs and environmental cleanliness
• Follows all safety procedures including the use of patient care equipment and implements the principles of infection prevention and control - including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) - hand-washing technique - isolation procedures - and the use - storage - and pre-cleaning of any reusable medical equipment Promotes an environment of respect for individual patient and caregiver support persons rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery Contributes to supportive environment when floating to other areas as needed Attends and contributes to unit staff meetings and interdisciplinary patient care huddles and provides information and feedback Ability to assist with sterile and non-sterile procedures Performs EKGs Demonstrates knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize - report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias Demonstrates knowledge and ability to appropriately initiate - perform - and complete assigned patient care based on patient's conditions Recognizes subtle deviations from normal in patients' conditions - and risk for common potential problems - screens patients' risk for potential problems related to specific diagnoses and treatment Observes patients for evidence of elder abuse and knows correct reporting process Provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 0800-1630