The LPN is a member of the IV Team, (IVT), as part of the Comprehensive IV Therapy Services within the Inpatient and Emergency Services Division. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/14/2023. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: One year phlebotomy, IV placement experience. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, 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 as provided below in specialized experience. QUALIFICATION FOR GS-7: The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment: a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Preferred Experience: IV placement and blood draw experience required, VA experience preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical Nurse The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), pushing (1-2 hours), use of fingers, both hands requires, walking (4 hours), standing (4 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability. ["The role of the LPN in the acute care settings is in serving as an expert in the clinical care coordination of IV therapy and blood draws. Coordination of IV therapies requires verbal and documented clinical findings in the patient record to include recommendations for appropriate IV access type. Communication and coordination occurs with the entire interdisciplinary health care provider team. The LPN IVT provides 24/7 comprehensive IV care modalities with minimal supervision and is independent in the clinical care recommendations. This specialty independent LPN role is critical to timeliness in the patient care episode of care. The LPN IVT is sought out by multiple specialty care areas for their recommendations regarding IV care modalities. The LPN IVT is embedded in the innovative clinical culture in the patient car provided. The LPN demonstrates the ability to exercise independent technical judgement as well as have a comprehensive working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures in the IV therapy/treatment specialty. The IVT includes a number of independent LPNs directed with minimal supervision by the Manager of the IV Team and is responsible for all hospital blood draws, IV starts, and IV maintenance practices and procedures. The IVT responds to consults entered by members of the interdisciplinary care teams involving Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, and other disciplines and is responsible for the venipuncture care of the hospitalized patient. Work Schedule: Variable days 0500-1700, 1700-0500, 0300-1500, 1900-0700 Includes weekends and holidays. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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