Summary

Stand ready with VA to help in an emergency A disaster can strike at any time - an earthquake - tornado - hurricane - or global pandemic can leave our Veterans - families - and communities in desperate need of help. That's why the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is creating Clinical Deployment Teams (CDTs) to stand ready to assist. We're looking for clinical personnel to serve on these teams and help transform how we provide health care services in times of great need.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• 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-03 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
• GS-04 (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
• GS-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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 - 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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
• Preferred Experience and Certifications 2-3 years of experience as in LPN/LVN experience related to the area of deployment Basic Life Support (BLS)

Duties

• Working in Primary Care - Medical-Surgical - Emergency Room (ER) - and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) - Clinical Deployment Team (CDT) staff will be allocated among 18 networks for a total of 20 full-time employees per network - including 11 Registered Nurses (RNs) - 2 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) - 5 providers (including Medical Doctors - Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine - and Advanced Nurse Practitioners) and 2 Social Workers
• When they are not deployed - CDT staff will work at an assigned VA facility
• Members of the team must: Be available to deploy with 72 hours' notice within 2 windows of time per calendar year - for up to a month at a time Work in a high-stress environment - possibly in austere conditions or an emergency setting Treat or provide direct patient care within the requirements of practice/privileges/licensure Participate in CDT training activities and demonstrate readiness to apply professional skills to a range of emergency situations Ensure qualifications and required certifications are maintained - including Basic Life Support (BLS) - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification Maintain CDT physical readiness requirements - vaccinations - and safety precautions related to infection control LPN/LVN responsibilities include: Outpatient/Primary Care Provides direct patient care to and assists with care coordination of Primary Care patients within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) - supporting services and clinics throughout the health care system
• Provides direct patient care to Primary Care patients in accordance with Primary Care standards and recommended practices/guidelines
• Gathers additional data (face to face or via phone) related to patient needs for treatment determination of PACT
• Participates in PACT performance measure activities such as - but not limited to - non-complex 2-day post-discharge calls - clinical reminder compliance - aspects of chronic disease management
• Participates in daily and/or weekly PACT huddles
• Assists with coordinating care of patients - including patients consulted through Clinical Video Tele-Health visits
• Assures patients have pre-appointment requirements completed prior to Primary Care Provider (PCP) appointments
• Alerts providers (physicians/nurse practitioners) of abnormal signs and symptoms and/or abnormal test results to expedite care
• Assists with patient education related to managing risk factors - medications - procedures - and other medical regimens related to their disease process - within standards of practice
• Inpatient Delivers care to patients according to Patient Care Plan
• Demonstrates understanding of age - and population - specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
• Performs aspects of admission/discharge procedures as directed
• Collects patient data including observations of patient status (i.e. - vital signs - intake/output - skin condition - mental status - etc.)
• Accurately reports patient/client information
• Recognizes subtle and significant changes in the patient in response to nursing care
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate
• Organizes/prioritizes routine and non-routine nursing care activities (ADLs - medication administration - wound care - EKG - foley catheter insertion - bladder scan - etc.) Provides care to patients/clients appropriate to their cognitive - physical - emotional and chronological maturation
• Work Schedule: May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.