Summary

The Licensed Vocational Nurse is responsible for providing direct patient care to and assisting with care coordination of Surgical Specialty Clinics supporting services and clinics throughout the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - 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-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 (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-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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 - 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G13 - Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds)
• Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds)
• Straight pulling and pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking - kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours
• repeated bending
• both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• both eyes required
• depth perception
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• The LVN/LPN assumes the following roles and responsibilities outlined the in LVN Performance Standards for Critical and Non-Critical Elements
• Nursing Practice Element: Performs direct patient care and services requiring technical and manual skills - specific to unit/service
• Executes interventions in accordance with treatment plans
• Fosters a learning environment by participation in the orientation of new employees and providing feedback
• Takes accountability for actions and mistakes - and complies with established control systems and rules
• Seeks opportunity for self-improvement and Participates in performance improvements
• Holds self and others accountable for measurable - high quality - timely and cost-effective results
• Collaborates with RN/Provider when patient requires a higher level of care not managed within the outpatient setting
• Safety/Emergency Element: Contributes to a safe - accessible - effective and functional environment of care through participation in infection control and emergency preparedness plans
• Responds to emergent patient conditions in a safe and effective manner
• i.e
• effectively recognizes life-threatening situations and takes immediate action
• Recognizes changes in patient's condition and deviations from baseline requiring emergent intervention
• Engages in personal risk management
• Written/Electronic Documentation Element: Documentation is factual - objective - accurate - consistent - timely and complete
• Documents all patient-related activity within tour of duty
• Educates patients on discharge instructions related to their disease process - treatment plan and documents
• Customer Service/Communication Element: Anticipates the needs of both internal and external customers and Veterans
• Delivers high-quality care products and services
• Practices open - accurate and timely communication
• Ensures care delivery that maintains the dignity and worth of the patient - recognizing the patient's right to shared decision-making
• Accountability Element: Holds self and others accountable for measurable - high-quality - timely and cost-effective results
• Accepts responsibility for mistakes
• Complies with established policy and procedures
• Exhibits the VA's core values of Integrity - Commitment - Advocacy - Respect and Excellence (ICARE)5
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Nurse Manager
• Professional Development Element: Continuous self-assessment to identify areas for improvement and enhancement personally and professionally
• Participates in coaching and mentoring of colleagues or new employees
• Maintains CEUs - TMS requirements
• Preferred Experience: Current experience in Surgical Specialty Care (Urology - Podiatry - Orthopedics) - Ambulatory Care Experience
• Inpatient and CLC experience helpful
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 0800 - 1630 Telework: Not Available Driving: Required Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required