Summary

The Albany VAMC is looking to hire 1 License Practical Nurse to work in our Catskill location Primary Care Office. "The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below."

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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• 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
• English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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 Determination: 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 - 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: 3-5 Years of LPN Experience in Primary Care Telehealth 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 GS-6. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - kneeling - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) 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
• The LPN/LVN performs within their assigned functional statement under guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee
• Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill
• The LPN/LVN is expected to be able to function at the fully successful level for all key elements at their assigned GS Level
• The duties of the LVN/LPN include but are not limited too- - Interviewing patients - performing a general systems appraisal of the patient's condition - collecting objective and subjective data
• Collaborating with the Registered Nurse/Provider in developing and implementing a plan of care individualized to carry out the needs of the patient
• - Contributing to the interdisciplinary team in the development - implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment and follow-up health care
• - Collaborating with members of other services regarding changes in patients condition - laboratory results - responses to treatment plan and other pertinent parameters of care
• - Modifying the plan of care in accordance with recognized nursing standards and prescribed treatment
• - Meeting patients' needs by direct physical care and psychosocial intervention and by assuming responsibility for nursing management of unstable patients whose nursing care needs are not predictable
• - Making necessary judgments prior to preparing and administering medications - recognizing side effects and contraindications
• Providing patient/significant other instruction regarding common medications
• - Performing support duties for diagnostic procedures - which include preparing the patient - patient education - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing specimens - preparing and passing instruments - and monitoring the patient's condition
• - Recognizing emergency situations - responding promptly and instituting appropriate actions
• - Instructing patients and significant others in the use of: prescribed medications - equipment - treatments - and activity level - contraindications of the same - and the value of proper follow-up self care
• Documenting patient teaching and patient's response to teaching
• - Understanding Human Behavior - identifying non-routine educational needs
• motivating the patient and significant others to accept and apply instructions
• - Leading patient groups to help patients share feelings - interacting and functioning in accordance with the treatment plan
• - Providing one to one therapy to explore feelings - behavior and promote interpersonal relationships - communication - and socialization skills in accordance with the patient's treatment plan
• - Handles incoming and outgoing calls - obtaining information necessary and communicates messages to the appropriate team member
• Perform other assigned duties
• Work Schedule: Full-Time
• Monday - Friday
• 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized