Career Center

Summary

The Columbia VA Health Care System is actively hiring for Licensed Practical Nurse within Associate Director Patient Care/Nursing Services. The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veterans.

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
• 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)
• 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
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• 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
• 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
• Grade Determinations: 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: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• or 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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-06: 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
• 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 - 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 rom prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Preferred 1 year ambulatory or clinic experience as an LPN
• possess effective communication skills - customer service etiquettes and have the ability to work cohesively with colleagues in the healthcare setting
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• The Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) will support the Nursing - Acute Care Services at the Spartanburg location of the Columbia VA Medical Center
• The primary purpose of the LPN/LVN is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include - but not limited to: Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• Performs - reports and documents assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics for both in person and virtual care modalities
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe techniques in preparation and administration of medication
• Demonstrates understanding of age-and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance - and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate
• Provides patient and family health education - to include self-management - prevention - and wellness - based on the patient's goals and as assigned by the RN
• Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e. - respect - civility - ability to accept constructive criticism) - effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice
• Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills - safety and security measures
• Actively assists the Teamlet and expanded Teams
• Will serve as a surrogate LPN as needed
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives and strives to elevate the practice standards in the clinic
• Assists in the orientation of students - peers - and clerical staff
• Completes mandatory reviews for health coaching in order to encourage patient self-- management toward individualized life plan of care
• Maintains confidentiality of electronic - written and/or verbal patient information
• Uses broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures to support patient-driven care in a safe - efficient - and cost-effective manner using evidenced based principles
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm 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 #: 58256F - 56293F - 56287F & 56291F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized