Summary

The Cardiology Specialty Clinic Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides high-quality - evidence-based care for Veteran patients who are seen in the different Cardiology Specialty Clinics who commonly require cardiac evaluation and monitoring. The LVN effectively implements patient activities towards health promotion and disease prevention - assisting the Veteran in attainment of optimal levels of function through direct care and non-face-to-face communication.

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
• 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
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• 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) 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 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 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: GS-03: 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-04: (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
• GS-05: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the next lower level (GS-4)
• Additionally an LPN as this level will be able to demonstrate: 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 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
• 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-06 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
• LPN must be technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing car to variable patient populations
• Possess 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
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations.
• 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 to GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds)
• Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds)
• Straight pulling and pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking - kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours
• repeated bending
• both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• both eyes required
• depth perception
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• The Licensed Vocational Nurse performs assignments in the Cardiology Specialty Clinics as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team
• Under the direction of the Registered Nurse or Cardiology Nurse Manager/Head Nurse - the LVN is responsible for providing direct and/or indirect patient care to an assigned group of patients
• This care takes into consideration all physical - psychosocial - spiritual and cultural needs of this specific Veteran population
• The LVN will have the knowledge - skill and experience to carry out assignments involving data gathering - treatments and assisting with patient/family education
• The LVN recognizes the need for and seeks guidance from the Registered Nurse - Cardiology Nurse Manager and/or their interdisciplinary health care team when necessary to ensure quality patient care is provided
• The Cardiology Specialty Clinic LVN works in a variety of clinic areas within the Cardiology Specialty Clinics including: Cardiology Specialty Clinic - Heart Failure Clinic - Arrhythmia/Electrophysiology Clinic - Cardiology Research Clinic - Cardiology RN Clinic - Pharmacist Clinic
• The LVN's roles include - but are not limited to: prioritize - check-in - triage - acquire patient vital signs within timeline parameters print medication lists and perform medication reconciliations initial and ongoing physical and psychosocial assessments synthesis of data from various assessments - monitoring devices - laboratory and imaging reports - use of the electronic health record Computerized Patient Recording System (CPRS)
• document in a timely - accurate and concise manner ability to accurately perform EKGs and Accu-Checks problem identification - able to recognize patients in distress needing immediate intervention
• care planning patient advocacy and privacy/confidentiality collaboration with others excellent infection control practice patient education airway management skills learned in BLS participate in/activates Rapid Response Team (RRT) or Medical Response Team calls and resuscitation procedures in the event of cardiac arrest and /or pulmonary arrest or for medical necessity perform daily required duties and quality controls including but not limited to: medication refrigerator temperature checks EKG machine checks (including restocking of EKG paper) crash cart and defibrillator checks automated external defibrillator (AED) checks clean and dirty utility room checks clean and re-stock exam and procedure rooms in between - after patient usage and at the end of each Tour of Duty stock all supplies recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action check for expired supplies and medications prepare - administer - monitor - and document medications with alertness to actions - side effects - adverse reactions and contraindication following Medical Center and Nursing Service policies/procedures and within LVN scope of practice: perform additional clinic duties as needed including but not limited to: order lab tests appropriate for the LVN scope of practice following policy/SOP answer view alerts/secure messages within 24-48 hours perform reminders as appropriate (Audit-C - Depression - FLU - FIT - PTSD - etc.) perform/participate in daily huddles with clinic team perform pre-appointment phone calls able to express best practices - including environment of care practices that impact the quality of life for the Veteran on Anticoagulation Therapy communicate with patients - families - physicians - co-workers - and other hospital staff in an effective - courteous and respectful manner Work Schedule: Mon-Fri - 7:30am -4:00pm
• Hours may change due to the needs of the facility
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.