Licensed Practice Nurse (Surgery/Specialty)

Summary

The Surgery/Specialty LPN practices within Patient Care Services for the Interventional Service Surgery/Specialty Clinics Eastern Colorado Healthcare System and supports the mission and vision of Patient Care Services and the Healthcare System. He/she performs a variety of supportive - nursing - and medical tasks necessary to care for patients outpatient Surgical/Specialty care appointments.

Qualifications

***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until October 7th - 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 18th - 2025 with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.*** 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
• 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
• BLS: BLS certification is required
• Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) http://www.nlnac.org (copy of transcripts required) OR 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
• 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)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements - candidates must meet requirements for each grade level applied for as outlined below: GS-03: None beyond basic requirements
• GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR - Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience
• OR - Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques
• GS-05: Requires at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• In addition the following criteria must be met: Demonstrated 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 with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel 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: Requires at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN
• In addition the following criteria must be met: 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 patient' conditions
• Ability to observe - identify - and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education
• Prepare and administer prescribed medication (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
• Establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication - and socialization skills
• 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
• Actively seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Preferred Experience: 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: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other offsite locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Treats all patients & families with dignity and respect
• Listens to & honors patient and family perspectives & choices
• Patient & family knowledge - values - beliefs - & cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning & delivery of care in a non-judgmental - non-discriminatory manner (Patient & Family Centered Care)
• Demonstrates responsibility & accountability for own nursing judgments & actions
• Safeguard's patient privacy & maintains confidentiality of all electronic & printed patient information according to HIPAA guidelines - the Privacy Act - & as stated in the Medical Center Memo on ADP Security
• Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices - such as hand washing & wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment
• Demonstrates safe work practices
• Complies with safety rules & regulations for safe job performance & fire protection
• Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics - use of mechanical devices - &/or requests help when needed in moving - lifting - or turning patients to prevent injury to patient - self or others
• Promptly reports all accidents to supervisor & notifies supervisor promptly of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions
• Corrects safety hazards promptly
• Puts broken equipment out of service immediately - tags it as such - and follows-through for appropriate disposition of broken equipment
• Conserves resources effectively by using supplies & equipment in a responsible manner
• Follows appropriate standard operating procedures related to the equipment - devices - & work practices that impact or have the potential to impact the environment
• Will comply with relevant environmental regulations - Executive Orders - & Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) initiatives
• Will consider environmentally preferable recycled products in all purchasing decisions
• Maintains current professional knowledge and skills based on current evidence-based practice & applies to practice and care of patients
• Promotes wellness by empowering the patient to self-management through education & patient driven health care delivery
• Participates in unit based educational activities & continuing education opportunities to increase clinical and professional knowledge
• Works effectively with the patient/family to respect and support their values - preferences - needs & goals
• Properly handles - reprocesses - & maintains reusable medical equipment according to unit policy - SOP's - and VHA directives
• Follows policies - procedures and standards to promote evidence-based patient-driven care
• Demonstrates positive - effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers
• Communicates the plan of care with the patient and discusses the patient's progress with other health care providers
• Collaborates with peers in completing unit workload efficiently
• Promptly reports all accidents to supervisor and notifies supervisor promptly of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions
• Corrects safety hazards promptly
• Puts broken equipment out of service immediately - tags it as such - and follows-through for appropriate disposition of broken equipment
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - compressed 9 hrs schedules available Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 56814-A - 56815-A - 56816-A 56817-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized