The Licensed Practical Nurse within this organization functions as a nursing team member under the direction and guidance of the Registered Nurse (RN) or Provider. He/she is responsible for delivering safe physical and emotional care to Veterans, in a variety of settings, while enhancing technical skills and nursing knowledge. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the date of hire. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. License: 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). GRADE DETERMINATIONS: 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 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 one (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. 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 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD ** The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06 ** The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. ["The LPN delivers patient care and education in a Recovery based milieu . The knowledge required of this position includes a variety of Veteran centered physical and behavioral interventions. An understanding of the total Veteran care program. Understanding of moderately complex scientific facts and principles A broad spectrum of technical skills at an intermediate level. Adaptation of procedure to meet individual Veteran needs, Recognition of the cause and effect relationship between the Veteran's behavior and physical condition. Nursing activities are targeted toward the maximal attainment of patient self-management. Provides effective education to Veteran and/or family members in relation to disease processes, medication and/or prescribed treatment regimes Provides nursing care to patients according to established facility procedures adhering to all VA and nursing policies, procedures, standards and protocol. Nursing care includes but is not limited to: rooming patients, obtaining weight, height, and vital signs, completing clinical reminders, documenting medication reconciliation including non-VA and co-managed care, when applicable, catheterizing, applying hot/cold compresses, performing soaks, applying sterile dressings, trimming nails, performing ear lavages, scanning bladders, performing glucometer control tests, performing quality control checks, administrating medications including immunizations, injections & oxygen. Under the direction of the RN or licensed clinician, provides physical and emotional care to Veterans with mental illness, behavioral and physical needs within the scope of practice. Considers lifespan issues and provides care to young adults through geriatric Veterans, inclusive of gender specific needs. Completes patient focused assessments (Does not conduct Neuro checks, CIWAs or COWS). Completes clinical reminders and reports of data findings to the clinician, provider or RN. Administers medications and injections to patients accurately, timely, and according to facility policy. Keeps medication room clean and free of clutter. 9. Maintains all equipment and the competencies needed for proficiency. Reviews and maintains room and refrigerator temperatures as assigned. Collects urine, uses breathalyzer and other point of care specimen collection as ordered. Labels and stores lab specimens appropriately. Assures collaboration with care team and providers for medical issues. Initiates therapeutic communications with Veterans and families. Initiates and evaluates Veterans participation in community groups and community meetings. Customizes patient education to individual patients and family members regardless of age, state of wellness, or mental/emotional state. Identifies learning needs, suggests ways to meet identified needs, implements and evaluates the teaching plan in conjunction with other staff. Participates in nursing reports daily and treatment team meetings whenever possible. Completes documentation accurately, timely and completely addressing Veterans complaints and care provided. Documents collected data or current observations, including but not limited to: patient's physical and emotional condition, and procedure results in the electronic medical record. Collaborates with team members to provide seamless care to the Veteran. May mentor new LPN's and other new employees to the LPN duties. Participates in unit committees and activities as directed. Understands Quality Improvement, collects data as directed by the Quality Coordinator or Nurse Manager. Collaborates with clinical coordinators and tele-health staff to implement, monitor and improve overall tele-health programs. Work Schedule: Rotating tours of 7:30am- 4:00pm or 3:30pm- 12:00am, rotating weekends and holidays.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required *This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program.*"]