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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Practical Nurse Near Columbia, SC

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) 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.
• 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G-13.The full performance level of this vacancy is 5.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

Responsibilities:

The job duties of an LPN include but are not limited to -

• Interviewing patients, performing a general systems appraisal of the patient's condition, collecting objective and subjective data.
• Collaborating with the Registered Nurse/Provider in developing and implementing a plan of care individualized to carry out the needs of the patient.
• Contributing to team's development, implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment and follow-up health care.
• Collaborating with members of other services regarding changes in patient's condition, laboratory results, responses to treatment plan and other pertinent parameters of care.
• Modifying the plan of care in accordance with recognized nursing standards and prescribed treatment.
• Meeting patient's needs by direct physical care and psychosocial intervention and by assuming responsibility for nursing management of unstable patients whose nursing care needs are not predictable.
• Making necessary judgments prior to preparing and administering medications, recognizing side effects and contraindications. Providing patient/significant other instruction regarding common medications.
• Performing support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing patient, patient education, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing specimens, preparing and passing instruments, and monitoring the patient's condition.
• Recognizing emergency situations, responding promptly and instituting appropriate actions. BLS certification.
• Providing technologically complex patient care.
• Providing transport services for patient to and from diagnostic services and to inpatient units.
• Instructing patients and significant others in the use of: prescribed medications, equipment, treatments, and activity level, contraindications of the same, and the value of proper follow-up self-care. Documenting patient teaching and patient's response to teaching.
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to perform variety of tasks necessary for clinical support of providers; adapting to work demands and assignment changes

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday and may include weekend and holidays, 7:00am-1530; 7:30am - 1600; 8:00am - 1630
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary