Licensed Practical Nurse at Veterans Health Administration

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: 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
• 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 of District of Columbia
• 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 Note: Exceptions include: Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment
• 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; and for their future personnel actions under this authority
• The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C
• 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
• 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
• 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-05 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-05 you must have completed at least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-4 level that has provided you with the following: 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 cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-06 you must have completed at least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-4 level that has provided you with the following: 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording 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 response 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, cultural, spiritual, 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 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 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
• Must be clearly demonstrated in your resume
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient Clinic/MD office experience; Experience with multiple surgical specialties; Multiple years of LPN 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-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients.

Duties

"Total Rewards: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties include but not limited to: Sets up, uses, reprocesses, and maintains all unit/department specific equipment that is designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients.
Performs support duties which may include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure.
Works under the direction of the Registered Nurse in charge and will report to the Nurse Manager.
Collection of health assessment data as part of patient screening, planning, implementing, and evaluating assigned duties Manages supplies and equipment, with direction from the Registered Nurse, and promotes teamwork among co-workers and other health care personnel.
Identifies each patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific needs.
Completes all mandatory annual review programs and attends all unit-­based staff meetings.
Demonstrates active collaboration and communication as a member of a larger healthcare team which includes the Patient, Provider, RN and Clinical Support Technician and the Larger Team consisting of family/caregiver, internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the patient.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact vhav07hrd@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) 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 #: 10602F/10603F"