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

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
• 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-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 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-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
• (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
• 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 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
• (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 - cultural - spiritual - 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
• (j) 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: Six months to a year experience preferred Long-Term Care/Rehab/Hospice Experience Hands-on experience at bedside care Dementia experience preferred Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository - VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0620 - Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard - dated 4/10/2003
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: The position will require heavy lifting (15-44 pounds) - light carrying (45 pounds and over) - pushing (1 hour) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking (6-8 hours) - standing (6-8 hours) - and repeated bending (6-8 hours).

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) 6 is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• Direct Care Licensed Vocational Nurses assist the Registered Nurse in the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care - patient and family education - patient self-management and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction
• Duties of the position include but are not limited to: Assume peer education and mentorship role with lower level LVNs under RN guidance
• Patient-care duties including but not limited to: daily living - dressing - hygiene care - nail care - toileting - restorative programs - assistance with feeding - decluttering - end-of-life care - and post-mortem care
• Verbalizes and demonstrates understanding of the long sheet and importance of daily utilization of the form
• Working knowledge of shower/tub room processes
• Understands resident preferences and respect/dignity in implementing those preferences
• Understanding of each neighborhood on unit - processes - and residents
• Proper process of entering and exiting rooms
• Assist other staff as necessary to ensure proper care
• Complete weekly skin re-assessment VANOD note
• Understanding and use of nurse call system - answering alarm/phone appropriately - responding promptly to resident situation
• Understanding of the Wanderguard system process - policy - and prompt response to alarm
• Monthly D-Sticks for residents using antipsychotic medications
• Complete daily/shift documentation as appropriate
• Not limited to CLC Wound Care & Treatment Note
• Complete documentation as needed
• Not limited to Pain Notes - Narcotic Patch Waste Note - Behavior Notes - Vaccine Note - Pneumococcal PCV 13 - IV notes - Antibiotic Notes - Treatment Note - D-Stick Note - Nursing Re-assessment Notes - ADL notes - and nursing notes
• Ability to use computer and VA software such as CPRS/BCMA/EMR - Microsoft Office and locate forms utilized by the LVN
• Use appropriate infection control measures as listed in the orientation check-off packet
• Use appropriate customer service guidelines as listed in the orientation check-off packet
• Including - but not limited to CLC Veteran-Centered Care - resident preferences - and Cultural Transformation
• Patient-care duties as specifically outlined in the CLC LVN Orientation Checklist - including - but not limited to equipment - procedures - and CLC unit workflow in order to provide care to the residents
• Understands that the CLC is a restraint-free environment
• Verbalize and understand what is considered a restraint
• Complete wound care treatment as ordered by physician
• Including documentation and assessment for preventative wound care treatment
• Maintain a working knowledge of each neighborhood on unit
• Assist other staff to ensure proper care
• Delegate duties as appropriate for positions
• Responsibility of accessing AcuStaf and VATAS
• Entering appropriate leave as requested of NOD/Nurse Managers Work Schedule: 0730 -2000 rotating to include nights and weekends Compressed/Flexible: Not Available 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 VISN17EDRP2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: Licensed Vocational Nurse (CLC) This is a bargaining unit position.