Practical Nurse – US Veterans Health Administration – Sheridan, WY

***If you are a current federal employee please apply to CBSU-11545244-22-AT***

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
• 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.
• Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) http://www.nlnac.org (copy of transcripts required) – OR – 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.
• 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, candidates must meet requirements for each grade level applied for as outlined below:

GS-03:

None beyond basic requirements.

GS-04:

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN.
• OR, Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience.
• OR, Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• 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-05: Requires at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. In addition the following criteria must be met:

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel 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.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
• 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: Requires at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN. In addition the following criteria must be met:

• 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 patient’ conditions.
• Ability to observe, identify, and respond to the patient’s needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medication (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.
• Establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication, and socialization skills.
• 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.
• Actively seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Preferred Experience: One (1) year outpatient primary care experience. Ability to work in a team setting. Ability to exhibit leadership qualities.

References: See VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standards.

Will maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, and a valid state license as an LPN. A valid certification for IV insertion recognized by a state board of nursing will be required for LPNs inserting IVs.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.