Licensed Practical Nurse

<p>The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves at the Little Rock or North Little Rock facility and provides complex age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with physical, mental, behavioral, or psychosocial needs.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the LPN include, but are not limited to: Assists with data collection for outpatients and new admissions. Observes, reports and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition. Actively contributes to nursing and/or interdisciplinary team conferences, exchanging information about patient needs and condition, and assists in the nursing management of patients with complex problems. Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients according to nursing standards and CAVHS policy and procedure. Implements established care plans. Evaluates patient's progress based on observed data. Recommends modification to the care and/or treatment plan as needed. Recognizes progress or subtle changes in the patient's behavior and/or physical condition, initiates appropriate action, reports actions.. Recognizes and initiates emergency measures consistent with training. Uses identified learning needs to provide patient teaching and documents teaching in the medical record. The LPN is able to identify/apply age specific considerations. Performs such diagnostic procedures such as obtaining vital signs, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, 1&0, heights, weights, fingerstick blood sugars, breathalyzer, and EKGs. Recognizes deviations from normal. Documents and reports results to the registered nurse and/or physician. Performs narcotic count as per policy/procedure and immediately notifies the Charge RN of discrepancies. Administers oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications. Administers immunizations independently upon completion of competency. Observes, reports, and documents patient's response to medication including adverse reactions and possible medication errors. Following competency verification, monitors intravenous therapy for prescribed rate, patency, infiltration and/or extravasation. Discontinues intravenous infusion when directed by the RN or the physician. Changes peripheral IV and saline lock dressings; changes IV solution administration sets following established protocols; adds maintenance IV fluids (as approved) via mini-bags, prepared by pharmacy, through an existing peripheral line/saline lock. Changes central line/PICC line dressings utilizing sterile technique. Makes frequent rounds on patients, noting environment, changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition. Check patients' personal belongings on admission and discharge for contraband when indicated and where applicable. Performs routine locker inspections per medical center policy. Observes, documents, and reports unpredictable behavior that may lead to violence, potential for injury related to wandering or fall risk. Uses diversional activities to promote restraint-free environment. Under the direction of the registered nurse, uses least restrictive protective supportive device when restraint is ordered. Monitors patients who require group status or 1:1 observation, e.g., suicide precautions, patients with potential for injuring self or others. Documents and reports behavior patterns and changes per Nursing/Patient Care Services policies and procedures. Performs support duties for therapeutic and diagnostic procedures Provides for a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment including work area. Work Schedule: Rotating days, 7:30 am - 8:00 pm, with rotating weekends & holidays (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility) 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 #: GS-3, 00641F; GS-4, 00642F; GS-5, 00643F; GS-6, 00644F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>(Continued from above) GS-6, Licensed Practical Nurse 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the required experience, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. 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. Preferred Experience: none Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.