Practical Nurse

This position is located in Charlotte Health Center, Charlotte, NC. The Licensed Practical Nurse GS-6 provides safe, timely and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory Care setting. He/she is able to interact and collaborate effectively with patients, families, other health care and supportive personnel.

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:

• 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) and 7407(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
  • Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986. OR
  • Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
• 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-06 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.

• 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 registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

PATIENT CARE:
-Demonstrates knowledge and skills to carry out a full range of practical nursing care and specialized patient care duties to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems in the outpatient setting.
-Assists with patient education and patient groups regarding medications and disease management. Re-enforces all instructions previously given to patients by the MD/PA/NP/RN.
-Demonstrated ability to manage telephone care to include disease management, medication management, lab and radiology results and other telephone communication.
MAINTAINS A SAFE, THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT:
-Maintains a safe, clean, clutter free, and therapeutic environment, (in accordance with Environment Management Services, restocking, care of RME, electronic work orders, etc)
-Demonstrates working practices that include adherence to Infection Control standards and the safe use and operation of equipment.
-Maintains knowledge of medical equipment with skill sufficient to set-up, operate and maintain functioning. Recognizes and appropriately responds to
breakage/malfunctions or loss of equipment, supply deficiencies and fire, safety or environmental hazard.
COMMUNICATION (verbal/written), INTERPERSONAL SKILLS/TEAMWORK:
-Consistently provides verbal and/or written information that is thorough and accurate using clear and concise communication methods to ensure that customers understand.
-Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients/families/co- workers to promote honest and meaningful interactions.
-Consistently communicates with patients/families/co-workers and the general public in a courteous, tactful and helpful manner.
OBSERVATION/REPORTING/DOCUMENTATION:
-Proficient in observation and documentation of patient's vital signs, skin condition, intake, elimination, affect, sensorium, behavior, motor activity and personal needs according to established nursing procedures.
-Consistently documents pertinent observations and nursing procedures performed and their effectiveness.
-Readily seeks assistance and guidance by consultation with MD/PA/NP/RN about changes in patient's conditions that requires a higher level of intervention.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 7:45 am - 4:15 pm, subject to the needs of the service.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $58,290