The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a member of the nursing team who works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and performs assignments requiring licensure as a vocational/practical nurse. Care may be provided to patients in a variety of settings, i.e. Ambulatory Care Including but not limited to primary care, specialty care, mental health, surgery, special procedures, and Home/ and Community Based Care. 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 National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Exceptions include: (1) 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. (2) 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. 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. Physical Standards. See physical requirements listed above. 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, the following qualification criteria must be met for each 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. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: (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. (d) 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-5 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to 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 (a) 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. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. Qualification requirements continued in the Education Section. ["Nursing Care Supports the principles of professional and team nursing within designated scope of practice. - Participates in focused nursing care and effectively communicates assessments related to plan of care to the provider/RN - Leads in participation of focused nursing care and effectively communicates assessments related to plan of care to the provider/RN - Fosters change within the clinic setting of focused care and effectively communicates assessments related to plan of care to the provider/RN Assists the RN by engaging in nursing practice which incorporates knowledge and skills related to assessing client condition to include but not limited to pain assessment, documentation of pain assessment/evaluation in the medical record and accurate transcription, administration, and documentation of medication according to established procedures. Consistently provides nursing care and practice that incorporates knowledge and skills related to age-specific criteria in caring for the adult and older adult population. Recognizes and responds to emergency situations according to established policy and procedures Customer Service Performance Standards: Acts as a role model in the provision of excellent customer service - Participates in delivery of excellent customer service in the clinic setting. - Leads in the delivery of excellent customer service in the clinic setting. - Fosters change in the delivery of excellent customer service in the clinic setting. Maintains confidentiality and integrity of all client data including but not limited to verbal, written or electronic forms of personal health information. Participates and communicates with team members, clients/customers in a courteous, tactful, and helpful manner to facilitate the accomplishment of the work of the organization. Actively supports and participates in meeting the Performance Measures and organizational goals Safety Supports safety and infection control measures following designated policy and procedures according to client needs Participates in safety and infection control initiatives designated by policy and procedure in the clinic setting. Leads in the safety and infection control initiatives designated by policy and procedure in the clinic setting. Fosters change in the safety and infection control initiatives designated by policy and procedure in the clinic setting. Consistently implements safety and infection control measures according to client needs Utilizes correct body mechanics with no occurrence of on-the-job injury resulting from negligence or carelessness Reports potential safety hazards Completes review of mandatory topics prior to review date Systems Thinking Performance Standards: Able to explain how one's work contributes to the mission of the organization - Participates in the care of the client in conjunction with other team members to result in better health outcomes for the client - Leads other team members in the care of the client to result in better health outcomes for the client - Fosters change in the delivery of care to result in better health outcomes for the client. Understands and acknowledges the purpose of teamwork in the assignment of work practices and one's role in the teamwork according to the client's individual needs Keeps current with new procedures or technology to ensure better health outcomes for the client Inter-personal Effectiveness Develops and maintains positive relationships, effectively handles conflict, and seeks to improve and/or maintain skills and knowledge base - Participates in the development and maintenance of positive interactions with all team members - Leads others in the development and maintenance of positive interactions with all team members - Fosters change in the development and maintenance of positive interactions with all team members Actively develops and maintains positive relationships with team members while seeking to maintain or improve skills Effectively handles conflict, de-escalates as necessary and seeks guidance as needed from supervisor Expands knowledge base when knowledge deficit is encountered to enable competent resolution Reusable Medical Equipment Utilizes equipment correctly and appropriately including care of RME - Participates in the correct utilization of equipment and RME - Leads others in the correct utilization of equipment and RME - Fosters change in the correct utilization of equipment and RME Cleans and sanitizes exam rooms and supplies each time patient care is rendered Proper maintenance, disinfection, and use of negative pressure rooms with the identification of different precautions based on the client needs Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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