Summary

The Robley Rex VA Healthcare System - Louisville - Kentucky is currently recruiting for a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Emergency Department.

Qualifications

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 Language: 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 practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing 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
• (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• See paragraph 4 - section C License: Must have a full - current - active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for (VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• 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
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the 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)
• GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in (a) thru (c) 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
• Preferred Experience: Previous experience in Acute Care - ED - or and Inpatient care setting
• Previous experience in IV therapy - phlebotomy - and EKG
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5005 - Part III - Chapter 2 - paragraph 7 - and VA Handbook 5019 - Occupational Health Services
• All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position
• Must be able to lift (30 lbs or more)
• twisting and/or bending - standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day.

Duties

• The LPN performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care in the Primary RN - including - but not limited to: Vital signs as indicated or directed by Team/ED Policies Check expiration dates of meds and supplies Delegated procedures and treatments - including but not limited to: venipuncture - breathalyzer - EKG - bladder scan - ear irrigations - wound care - medication administration - oxygen administration - glucometer support - nebulizers - doppler - pulse oximetry - visual acuity - foley catheterization - IV placement - weights - and other procedures requested by provider within the LPN scope of practiced
• Electronic record documentation: including documentation of procedures - medication administration and effectiveness - clinical information obtained during visits - vital signs - appointment check-in - action required reports - ICB scanning of insurance - clothing inventory - and other pertinent clinical information Assists with minor procedures - including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment - positioning patient - ensuring comfort and privacy
• Monitors patient during the procedure Completion of tasks designated by policies/procedures/protocols and/or assigned by supervisor - including but not limited to other assigned tasks/projects Rooms patients in a timely and efficient manner using correct patient identifiers Keeps exam rooms/carts stocked with appropriate equipment/supplies needed for patient care Maintains mandated facility and Emergency Department specific certifications and education and other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Six 12 hour shifts and one 8 hour shift per pay period Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 40170-F Pay Schedule: VA73