Summary

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is assigned to the T2 ward in Spinal Cord Injury Service at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System (VALBHS). The LVN has the knowledge and ability to provide a full range of vocational nursing care.

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 NLNAC at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the NLNAC - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• 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
• - VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• and for their future personnel actions under this authority
• The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
• - Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• Licensure
• Full - active - current - unrestricted licensure as LPN or LVN in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the U.S. - 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 VA provisions
• ·English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - one of the following criteria must be met and documented on your resume
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above
• 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 Experience/Education: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or Education: Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• Combined Education & Experience: 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
• GS-5 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the next lower level (GS-4)
• Additionally an LPN as this level will be able to demonstrate: knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• 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
• 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
• 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
• recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• 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 Experience: 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
• LPN must be technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing car to variable patient populations
• Possess 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
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations
• 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 8 hours)
• Pushing (8 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours)
• Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Kneeling
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to: Performs a full range of nursing procedures such as data collection that contributes to the assessment - vital signs - treatments - and specimen collection in accordance with nursing policies and procedures
• These patients may have a variety of physical and/or behavioral issues
• Handles - prepares - and administers medications - treatments - and IV fluids in accordance with policies and procedures and documents appropriately in the patient's medical record - observes and evaluates for physical and/or behavioral changes from prescribed medications and treatments
• Documents changes in patient's condition and reports these timely to the Registered Nurse and/or provider and initiates appropriate actions
• Performs nursing treatments and procedures - which may include blood pressure monitoring - weight measurement - other treatments and procedures may include insertion - care - and removal of urinary catheters - dressing changes on simple wounds - colostomy care - decubitus ulcer care
• ear irrigations - enemas - following established policies and procedures
• The nurse will complete applicable competency reviews before performing these treatments and procedures
• The nurse will complete applicable competency reviews before performing these treatments and procedures
• Obtains electrocardiograms on patients as assigned reporting readings to the Registered Nurse and/or provider according to unit level procedures
• Completes finger stick blood glucose testing on patients as appropriate and completes mandatory competency reviews
• Participates in interdisciplinary planning process by attending team meetings and providing patient related data and information Enters - manipulates - and retrieves information and data from the VistA and other clinical information systems as appropriate to area assigned Schedule's appointments - including interpreting and verifying provider orders in accordance with VHA national scheduling guidelines
• Assignments include but are not limited to: use of Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) - scheduling - canceling - re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults management
• verifying and updating demographics and insurance information
• processing all emergency and non-emergency transfers to other VA facilities or private hospitals
• performing basic eligibility - co-pays and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage (i.e. - TRICARE - sharing agreements - etc.)
• Assures proper completion and filing of original medical documentation and forms in records prior to forwarding to medical records room - ensures the patient completes all necessary forms prior to being seen by the provider
• Adheres to policies and guidelines regarding release of patient information
• Refers patient to appropriate staff member as required
• As required types routine correspondence - progress reports - medical statements - memorandum - and statistical reports using various automation systems and programs
• Performs other functions such as entering work orders - tracking of equipment - and timekeeping
• All other duties as assigned Preferred Characteristics: Experience providing nursing care to patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) - neurological impairments - or other complex care needs in an inpatient - long-term care - or rehabilitation setting
• Understanding of autonomic dysreflexia - pressure injury prevention - bowel/bladder management - and respiratory care needs
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification Experience performing complex patient care activities to include: Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) techniques
• Use of mechanical lifts - assistive devices - and transfer equipment Pressure injury prevention and ongoing skin integrity monitoring Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with veterans living with complex - chronic condition Experience collaborating within an interdisciplinary team (IDT) to support individualized care plans for high-acuity or long-term patients
• Strong documentation skills - with experience using CPRS or other electronic health record (EHR) systems Ability to demonstrate initiative - flexibility - and critical thinking in a fast-paced - evolving clinical environment
• Work Schedule: Tour Schedule may vary and may require day - night - weekends - and holidays
• Work schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the organization
• Tour to be discussed during interview
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized