Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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
• Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or [accredited by] the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the ACEN
• 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
• (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• Grade Determinations: (1) 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)
• however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved.] (2) GS-4. [Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) 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 (3) 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.] (4) 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 [ - 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
• (g) 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
• (h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and - or other internal/external customers
• (i) 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
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• U) Actively seeks 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 to Three years outpatient clinic or physician office setting experience
• Two or more year LPN experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES: This is an advanced level PACT LPN position
• You will monitor and capture workload credit - develop reporting procedures and participate in performance improvement activities aimed at improving patient care access and PACT team processes
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Assignments associated with this position include - but are not limited to: Manages patient care problems and deviations using self-direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards
• Maintains knowledge and skill to care for a wide range of patients - including those with chronic and acute illness
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of disease conditions - nursing principles - and standards/practices
• Assesses - records - and reports vital signs - neurological signs - weight - and blood glucose levels
• Appropriately triages and prioritizes patient needs as routine - urgent - or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed
• Checks patients into the clinic - interviews patient and/or significant other - and documents intake data as per policy
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of VA protocols and VHA directives related to clinic management - documentation - and computer technology
• Demonstrates the ability to independently adjust or modify care being delivered
• Responsibilities include prompt recognition and treatment of urgent/emergent patient care needs
• Provides high quality nursing care using traditional and non-traditional modalities
• Applies knowledge by considering the interrelationship between age - physical - emotional - social - cultural - and population-specific needs when providing care
• Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures
• Performs venipuncture for blood draws - prepares specimens for transport and processing - transcribes orders - accessions label - provides patient education about lab tests - etc
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skill to interpret common test results and other medical data
• Provides education to patients/families about preparation for procedures and/or diagnostic tests
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill to incorporate patient education into care and modifies
• Contributes to the interdisciplinary PACT team in development - implementation - and evaluation of the treatment plan
• Communicates calmly - courteously - and professionally with all patients - personnel - and visitors while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and Medical Center policies
• Uses advanced skills to communicate with verbally or physically abusive patients or visitors using Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) principles and policy guidelines
• Collaborates with the PACT team and other interdisciplinary services in the development - implementation - and evaluation of patient care
• Duties include following up on abnormal results with the provider and educating patients/families on disease management and anticipated plan of care
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN7EDRPFacilityCoordinators2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 534-58338F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.