Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. This position serves as an LPN with the Oscar G. Johnson - VAMC (OGJVAMC) - Community Living Center (CLC).The primary purpose of this position is to perform a very wide range of resident personal care - treatment and charting activities on a regular and continuing basis on a rehabilitation - short term - respite - hospice - and long-term care unit.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• 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
• Exception: 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
• (Transcripts required) License: 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
• (Copy of your license is required with your application) 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)
• IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE - YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION
• Grade Requirements: GS-3 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-4 Employees may be appointed to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: (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-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 approval local facility policies and procedures
• Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO
• (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 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
• 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. 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: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit
• The work requires regular and recurring bending - lifting - stooping - stretching - and lifting patients - or similar activities.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is at the developmental level and is closely supervised and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded LPNs or other healthcare professionals
• The LPNs at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher level LPNs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• This position is at the developmental level and is closely supervised and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded LPNs or other healthcare professionals
• The LPNs at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher level LPNs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Duties to include but not limited: Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from the RN including but not limited to: a
• Personal Hygiene b
• Assistance with ADLs c
• Oral hygiene d
• Nutrition needs e
• Specimen collection f
• Ambulation and transfer needs g
• Vital signs h
• Prevention of Skin Breakdown i
• Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Engages in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• Begins to compute dosage and administer medication utilizing BCMA with consultation of the professional nurse
• Under the guidance of the Nurse Manager/designee - observes - documents and reports patient: a
• Response to medical/nursing care b
• Variation in physical condition to include those that have occurred with aging
• c
• Variation in psycho-social condition/behavior to include those that are due to cultural and religious preferences d
• Response to medication/treatments Participates in and contributes to care conferences: a
• Assists the R.N
• with modification of treatment plans to accommodate cultural preferences - religious preferences and changes that occur with aging
• b
• Participates in the implementation of the care plan developed by the R.N
• and multidisciplinary team
• Uses aseptic technique and adheres to written policy/procedure
• Examples are (but are not limited to): a
• Providing tracheostomy care and suctioning b
• Urinary catheterization and irrigation c
• Colostomy care d
• Sterile dressing changes e
• Compresses - sterile and unsterile f
• Monitoring (but not regulating) peripheral I.V
• infusions
• Other duties assigned
• Work Schedule: Part-time: 20 Hours weekly / 40 Hours Biweekly - to include rotating weekends and Holidays 6:00AM - 2:30PM
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 06760F - 06759F - 06758F - 06757F Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):Not Authorized Salary Ranges: GS-3: $44 -860 - $58 -311 GS-4: $47 -649 - $61951 GS-5: $50 -613 - $65 -791 GS-6: $53 -758 - $69 -883