Summary

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

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
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(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 Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was 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
• OR Individual 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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• 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
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• 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
• Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and 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).The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Preferred Experience: 1-2 yrs Hospice /LTC experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• The position requires long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• He/she may be exposed to infected Veterans and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing/equipment in isolation situations or during day-to-day clinic functions and procedures
• The LPN must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on Veteran needs
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to Veterans who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• The Nursing - Geriatrics and Extended Care department is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who will provide direct and indirect care to assigned patients while under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN)
• The LPN will provide care to Veterans that will promote the Veteran attaining and maintaining maximum functionality
• Duties Include but not limited to: Possesses the knowledge and skills to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient condition - to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatment - and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Ability to observe - identify - and respond to the patient needs for care - including medication - equipment assisted care and patient/family education
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic and age-related factors
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and intravenous)
• Performs treatments according to established policies and procedures
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication - and socialization skills
• 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 - education - and training less experienced LPNs or NAs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Embodies the I CARE ore values of this organization
• Integrity - Commitment - Advocacy - Respect - and Excellence create a culture of caring and civility that supports our goals
• Ensures that confidential information is at all times safeguarded and protects information from being disclosed to unauthorize sources
• Work Schedule: Evening Shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000/ LPN GS03-06 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required