Licensed Practical Nurse - Community Living Center (CLC)

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024 or until all positions are filled.

If you ARE NOT a current, permanent Federal employee, you should apply using announcement: CBST-12212811-24-VD.

Qualifications:

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: Must have graduated from a school of practical nursing approve 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 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 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-3: 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-4:
(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 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the required experience, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(b) 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 Grade Requirements continued in Education section.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling one (1) hour; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking seven (7) hours; standing seven (7) hours; kneeling 1/2 hour; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing without aid; mental/emotional stability.

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.

Responsibilities:

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE, OR YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ELECTRONIC NOTICE THAT YOU ARE RATED INELIGIBLE. SEE QUALIFICATIONS SECTION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SECTION FOR DETAILS. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs) MUST BE DEMONSTRATED IN YOUR RESUME. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT AND REFER BACK TO IT OFTEN WHEN WRITING YOUR RESUME TO ENSURE ALL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.

VA Community Living Centers (CLCs) are committed to providing resident-centered care for Veterans of all ages. Using an interdisciplinary team approach, we provide a dynamic array of programs, activities, and services in a safe homelike environment that is conducive to healing. CLC services include short-stay and long-stay continuing care, skilled nursing care, dementia memory care, geriatric evaluation and management services, wound care, CARF accredited acute rehabilitation, long-term antibiotic care, respite care, restorative care, hospice and palliative care, and mental health recovery. The mission of VA CLCs is to restore the Veteran to the highest practicable level of well-being, maximum function and independence, prevent decline in health, and provide comfort at the end of life. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) performs duties under the general supervision & of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Physician (MD/DO).The duties of the LPN in the CLC include, but are not limited to:

• Provides age-specific practical nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with physical, mental, behavioral, or psychosocial needs, according to assignment and training.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and provides input into the Nursing Care Plan and/or the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
• Assists residents with activities of daily living such as bathing, showering, shaving, feeding, oral hygiene, turning, positioning, ambulating, etc.
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, activities of daily living, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes.
• Ensures patient's privacy and provides for a safe, clean and therapeutic environment.
• Performs phlebotomy and administers immunizations upon completion of competency verification.
• Performs enterostomal care, perineal care, administers enemas, and colostomy irrigations.
• Provides bowel/bladder training, applies external urinary devices, and performs bladder catheterization.
• Carries out respiratory treatments such as postural drainage, chest physiotherapy; sets up and initiates oxygen therapy, including nebulization treatments; instructs patient in use of incentive spirometer; monitors and records observations of chest tubes and pleurovacs; and assembles water sealed chest drainage systems.
• Provides oral, nasopharyngeal and tracheal suctioning, tracheostomy care, wound care, and administers oxygen.
• Lifts, moves, transfers, and/or transports patients. Uses patient lifting devices, pressure relief mattresses, electronic scales, feeding pumps, and IV pumps without any personal limitations or physical restrictions.
• Applies abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, ace bandages, hyper/hypothermia blankets, alternating pressure boots, and protective/supporting devices or restraints under the direction of the RN or MD/DO.
• Provides post-mortem care per Nursing/Patient Care Services policies and procedures.
• Performs diagnostic procedures such as TPR, B/P, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, I&O, heights, weights, finger-sticks, breathalyzer, and EKGs.
• Prepares and administers oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous (IV) medications as permitted by Medical Center policies and procedures. Observes and documents the patient's response to medication administered and reports any changes in the patient's condition to the RN or MD/DO.
• Initiates IV therapy and monitors for prescribed rate, patency, infiltration and/or extravasation upon completion of competency verification. Discontinues IV infusion when directed by the RN or MD/DO.
• Changes peripheral IV, saline lock dressings, and IV solution administration sets following established protocols. Adds maintenance IV fluids (as approved) via mini bags prepared by the pharmacy through an existing peripheral line/saline lock.
• Makes frequent rounds on patients, noting environment, changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition.
• Promotes patient independence and self-reliance by encouraging participation in decision-making, care plans, and self-care activities.

Work Schedule: various tours/shifts based on patient care needs.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 598-00005-F (GS-06); 598-00004-F (GS-05); 598-00003-F (GS-04); and 598-00002-F (GS-03)
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required