Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. 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. See paragraph 4, section C. 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. Grandfathering Provision. 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). 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). Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements stated in above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. GS-3 LPN/LVN. 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-4 LPN/LVN. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) 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 (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 operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and techniques. GS-5 LPN/LVN (a) Completion of at least one 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). 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 appropriately with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating 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. Documentation will include patient response and reporting any changes in condition to RN or MD/DO. (e) Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures, promptly seek assistance from the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. (f) Recognizes and responds appropriately to equipment breakage/malfunction, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel. (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, more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer review. GS-6 LPN/LVN (a) Completion of at least one 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 patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information. Completed work requires only general review by an RN or MD/DO. (d) Ability to observe, identify, and respond to patient needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. When organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN considers emotional, socioeconomic, 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 changes in condition, documents accurately, and reports deviations to RN or MD/DO. (f) Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. (g) Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations, and reactions, and ability to utilize this knowledge effectively with patients, families, and staff. (h) Establishes constructive relationships with patients and families to promote communication and positive interactions. Fosters respect for patient privacy and dignity and incorporates established customer service standards. (i) Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized procedures, including patient preparation, assistance, handling specialized instruments/equipment, and monitoring before, during, and after procedures. Serves as a preceptor for less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs. (j) Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge with staff to improve nursing practice. 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 Directive and Handbook 5019.