Summary

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is looking for a Licensed Practical Burse for our Primary Care Service Team! Serves as a member of the health care team and is responsible for assisting in planning and administering quality nursing care in a designated clinical area - as well as providing a therapeutic environment for patients.

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-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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 - 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Preferred Experience and Certifications 2-3 years of experience as in LPN/LVN experience related to the area of deployment Basic Life Support (BLS) Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (up to 44 lbs.)
• Light Carrying (under 15 lbs.)
• reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Walking (Up to 3 hours)
• Standing (Up to 3 hours)
• Kneeling (Up to 1 hour)

Duties

• The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• The LPN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• Duties include but not limited to the following: Completes vital signs and basic anthropometric measurements including pain level and oxygen saturation and parameter documentation Incorporates an understanding of principles of infection control and hand hygiene into clinical practice Demonstrates understanding of proper body mechanics as this position requires walking - standing - stooping - lifting - bending - pushing - and turning Improves organizational performance by creating a positive work culture and adheres to principles of Nursing Ethics as supported by the American Nurses Association and the mission - vision - values - human resource management - and culture of the organization Works in Primary Care and Subspecialty clinics as assigned to arrange and clean the clinic environment - screen patients - and assist with the provision of a variety of patient care services adjusting for fluctuating patient load and staffing to ensure smooth clinic operation and maintenance
• The LPN is expected to meet clinic priorities and deadlines and to provide quality care meeting optimal VHA Primary Care and clinic designated standards of care and organizational policies and procedures Assists with diagnostic and/or treatment procedures including obtaining and preparing sterile equipment and a wide variety of specialized equipment as performed on an outpatient basis Provides nursing care to patients and families as members of specialized population cohorts such as women Veterans - the homeless - dementia and Alzheimer patients - victims of abuse - and those with military related trauma endured both physically and psychologically Participates in Federal clinical initiatives such as the vaccination of Veterans - their spouses and caregivers - and significant others in our outpatient and drive-through clinics Administers medications using recognized rights of medication administration and the bar-code system - if available - including nebulizer treatments Collects routine laboratory specimens following organizational policies and procedures Performs standard clinical diagnostic screenings such as - but not limited to - blood glucose monitoring - bladder scanning - venipuncture (as needed) - minor dressing changes - and electrocardiograms Maintains certification in and administers American Heart Association basic life support (CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation) as necessary Assists with clinic orientation of new employees Participates in facility and unit in-service education programs Adheres to patient teaching protocols as appropriate Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday - Friday - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required