Summary

The incumbent performs a variety of supportive - nursing and medical tasks necessary to the care of patients during diagnostic and therapeutic visits to any ECHCS VA Primary Care Clinic location. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) practice is modeled on the standards established within the VHA model for Patient Aligned Care Teams. This position is located at our VA Union Blvd Outpatient Clinic - Colorado Springs CO.

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Education: Must be a 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
• (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Licensure: Must possess a 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
• (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIIRED) 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
• GS-06 Level: Completion of at least 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
• 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 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
• Preferred Experience: IV certification
• References: VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13 VA Qualification Standards The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• Walking - bending - stooping - and lifting in the direct care of patients
• some extended periods of sitting and/or standing.

Duties

• ***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 30 - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 02/14/2025
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis OR until positions are filled
• GS-6: The LPN GS-6 has successfully completed at least one year qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent
• The LPN has demonstrated knowledge and ability with a variety of physical/or behavioral problems
• The LPN receives a daily written assignment and verbal instructions from the registered nurse who will evaluate performance and response to work obligation
• The LPN has the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition
• to use the judgement in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines
• and to accurately report and record significant patient information
• Completed work needs only a general review by the provider for technical soundness - appropriateness and conformity with policy and procedures
• The LPN has demonstrated the ability to observe - identify - and respond to the patient's needs for nursing - medication - and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal
• In modifying patient care plans - the LPN considers physical - emotional and social factors
• Guidelines include Medical Center policy and procedure manuals and memorandums
• The incumbent provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Is able to perform routine evaluation of patients while in the clinic setting by treatments and/or medications
• Documents appropriate information in the patient record and reports and significant deviations to the RN and/or provider
• Recognizes the need for and institutes cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures when indicated in accordance with established medical center policy and procedure
• Independently performs coordinating duties related to the operation of the clinic such as ordering and maintaining supplies and medications and obtaining patient data
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Performs other assignments designated by the RN or clinic providers which are essential to patient care and appropriate to the incumbent's level of training
• Uses motivational interviewing techniques to guide patients to establish goals
• The incumbent practices within their nursing scope of practice and functional level - demonstrating and promoting the mission of the VA and ICARE values
• Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments - using the nursing process - based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice
• Completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed
• Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and the Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 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 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm 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 #: 57292-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized