Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary

Position is located at the Community Living Center at the Veterans Administration Medical Center(VAMC), in Salisbury, NC.

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Duties

DUTIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING

• Maintains consistent assignments, as much as possible.
• Uses an ADL documentation system to validate proper care in fluid consumption, bowel elimination, and other activities of daily living.
• The LPN demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to Residents 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 Resident care delivery.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer and appropriately.
• Documents actions taken specific to commonly prescribe oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures.
• Consistently documents observations to include Resident's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in the Residents condition to the RN or MD/DO.
• Demonstrates 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 choking, cardiac and/ or pulmonary arrest.
• Routinely identifies the customer's situation properly and performs the tasks required to resolve the customer's problem appropriately and in a timely manner. This include both internal and external customers. Incumbent follow-ups, as necessary, to ensure a satisfactory resolution of issues and concerns.
• Consistently responds to requests for assistance, from Residents, families, visitors and co-workers, promptly and in a friendly, respectful and cooperative manner. In addition, assists all Customers in CLC LPN Functional Statement GS-7 Revised 11/13/2023. defining their needs and requests. Any deficiencies in this area are limited and minor have no significant adverse impact on: 1. customers and the services they require, 2. the needs of other customers, and 3. organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Listens to all customer/patient feedback, positive and negative, acts to resolve complaints within his or her control, and reports feedback to management (or team leader) in a timely manner. If a Resident, family member or visitor appears lost or in need of help, staff member offers unsolicited assistance to address the need. If appropriate, staff may escort Customer to desired location or appropriate point of contact for further assistance.
• Ends every customer interaction by asking, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" and follows-up on any response given by the customer.
• Dependably/ Reliably supports the customer service mission of the VHA facility by dressing professionally and exhibiting a professional demeanor and attitude in all customer interactions. This includes face-to-face, telephonic and e-mail interactions.
• Participates and promotes cultural transformation activities: encouraging a homelike environment including encouraging Residents bring items from home and assist them to arrange the environment as they prefer, knocking on the door and asking for permission to enter as this room is considered a home.
• Monitors for safety and assures proper implementation of safety protocols.
• Consistently provides care that assures Resident's dignity and privacy is maintained, such as coverage of dignity drainage bags, clean/shaven, nails clean and trimmed, incontinent pads are not visible on beds, Residents are always clean and neat in appearance.
• Assures Resident preferences are honored as much as possible
• Employs meaningful activities on a consistent basis.
• Actively engages Residents in his/her Restorative Care programs to promote their ability to attain optimal functioning levels, maintain current functioning levels and/ or prevent avoidable decline hereby enhancing their quality of life.
• Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written and/or verbal Resident/employee information
• Demonstrates working practices that include adherence to Infection Control standards, environment of care standards and the safe use and operation of equipment.
• Supports the Resident in successfully coping with his/her physical limitations, environmental barriers and social prejudices that he/she encounters.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to recognize changes in the Resident's abilities (age related, other injuries, cognition etc.) and medical situations (new colostomies, enteral feedings, prosthesis etc.) and engages the Resident in learning new skills identified in his/her plan of care to promote Resident independence, safety and social interactions.
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; 23:45p -0815a

Telework: Not available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment



NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination and maintain CDT physical readiness.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping.
  
  

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:

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  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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• 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. Exceptions include 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia.
  
  

Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-07: The GS-07 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN. The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) must be met:

• Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action.
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received.
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations.
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive 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.
• Skill, creativity, and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels.
• 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.
• Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery.
  
  

Preferred Experience and Certifications

• 2-3 years of experience providing care for individuals with dementia and 2 to 3 years of charge nurse experience.
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
  
  

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.



NOTE: Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who were converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986 are considered to have met the Education requirement. The waiver does not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.



Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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