Licensed Practical Nurse (Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders)

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 : GS-6 : Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent that demonstrates the following KSAs : Technically proficient 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; 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 RN or MD / DO for appropriateness and conformity with established policies / procedures.

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 recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors.

Prepares / 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 : 3+ years of experience in acute care and / or long term care setting. Experience with spinal cord injury patients.

References : VA Qualification Standards in VA Handbook 5005 / 3, Part II, Appendix G13. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-6. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https : / / www.

va.gov / ohrm / QualificationStandards / . Physical Requirements : Applicant must possess the ability to do the following : heavy lifting and carrying, 45 pounds and over;

pulling, pushing and reaching above the shoulder; walking, standing, kneeling and repeated bending. Ability to distinguish basic colors, correctable vision, and emotional / mental stability.