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. 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. 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. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken & written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), & 7407(d). Licensure: Full, active, current & 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. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 may 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; 2) VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; & for their future personnel actions under this authority. 3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Preferred Experience: Care of adult population ages 20-90 yrs. 1 year experience in clinic nursing, hospital or home health care. Experience with computerized charting and phone skills. Experience with women's health care. Experience with disease management. Lab draw and processing experience. Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN; or (b) Graduation from an approved school & 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 & sterile techniques & procedures; or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5: (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge & 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 & interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional & other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. (d) Knowledge & skill sufficient to prepare, administer, & appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies & procedures. (e) Knowledge & ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, & assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. (f) Recognizes & appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, & supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6:(a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing & completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) Knowledge & ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order & sequence of procedures & treatments; & to accurately recognize, report & record relevant patient information. (d) Ability to observe, identify & respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care & patient/family education. In organizing & delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes & considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, & age-related factors. (e) Prepares & administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) & 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, & reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. (f) Knowledge & ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, & initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. (g) Knowledge & understanding of human behavior, patient motivations & reactions to situations, & ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, & other staff. (h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients & their families to elicit feelings & attitudes, & to promote positive relationships, communication & socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient & family rights to privacy & dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge & understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. (i) Knowledge & 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 & handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, & monitoring the patient's condition before, during, & following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, & training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. (j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve & advance nursing practice. 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). References: Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard, VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Appendix G13. 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 Additional Information section. ["1. Performs and documents focused/functional assessment and reports abnormal findings to the RN Team Leader, Charge Nurse, and/or Nurse Manager. 2. As the Charge Nurse, the LVN/LPN, within their scope of practice, effectively assigns, manages and directs other LVN/LPNs and Nurses' Aides in the delivery of patient/resident care. The LVN/LPN demonstrates the ability to assign patients/residents care needs and the capability of the staff to meet those needs. 3. Demonstrates 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. 4. The LVN/LPN is the technical proficient in performing, reporting, and recording assigned nursing care, including, but not limited to: Administers oxygen (O2) therapy Medication administration to include IV medication Ensures medications/supplies are not expired and removed from inventory Accurately performs delegated procedures and treatments Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy. Electrocardiograms (EKG/ECG), lab draws Data collection and documentation intervention of patient visit in applicable nursing note. Assists in medication reconciliation. Notifies the provider of changes. Measures, records vital signs and enters them in CPRS. Reports all significant deviations to the RN and/or health care provider immediately. Applies skin tests and measures and documents results Visual acuity tests Closes encounters daily Complete daily check of the automated external defibrillator (AED). Complete the Blood Glucose meter check daily, as applicable Other duties as assigned 5. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication. 6. Demonstrates proficiency in utilizing the Bar-Code Medication Administration (BCMA) system and PYXIS to administer medication to individual or a group of patients safely and efficiently. 7. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. 8. Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties, treatments to include the use of specialized instruments/equipment. 9. Takes initiative in identifying the need to modify patient care plans and considers physical, emotional and social factors. 10. The nurse initiates appropriate interventions for depression, suicidal and homicidal ideations, completes Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 and/or PHQ-9) and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) as appropriate. 11. Recognizes the individual's level of understanding and uses the most effective means of communication in teaching the client and/or significant other about his/her disease process, utilizing the standards of care and documenting client's response. 12. Provides verbal and/or written information in a timely manner that is thorough and accurate, using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand. 13. Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. 14. Proficient in the use of various computer packages to enter and retrieve electronic data, e.g., CPRS, Veterans' Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), mailman, Right Fax, Outlook, VistaWeb, leave requests, and patient information (progress notes, patient education, etc.). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800-1630, or 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
