Licensed Practical Nurse (Community Living/CLC)

Internal Number : 700300400

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing(ACEN) at the time the program was completed by applicant.

Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. 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). 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-3 : 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-4 : Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below : (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. (d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level;

however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques.

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 approval 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-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 Handbook Qualification Standards 5005 / 03, Part II Appendix G13 Licensed Practical Nurse, Dated April 10, 2003.

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.

RELOCATION AND / OR RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES : A recruitment / relocation incentive of $10,000 has been authorized subject to administrative and budgetary approval to be paid in two installments of $5,000 with a two (2) year service agreement.

This is an open continuous announcement until September 29, 2023. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

Vacancies may not presently exist but may become available at any point during the opening period of this vacancy announcement.

We will not review applicant resumes until there is a request to fill a vacancy). These LPN positions are in Geriatrics and Extended Care / Community Living Center at the Manchester VA Medical Center, located in Manchester, NH.

This position can be set at full-time / part-time or intermittent. Some duties include but are not limited to : The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), working under the direct supervision of the RN, MD, DO, NP or PA, is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients.

S / he recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. S / he considers the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patients, demonstrates competence and correctly provides appropriate care for that age group or groups.

LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (i.e. medication administration);

however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved.

S / he directs patients in restorative techniques to preserve functioning and prevent complications through education (health and life skills), exercise, ambulation, gait training, and bowel / bladder training.

Work Schedule : Full-Time, Part-Time or Intermittent. Shift hours will be discussed during the interview process. Compressed / Flexible : Not Available Telework : Not Available Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : F04560, F04561, F04562, F04563 Relocation / Recruitment