Career Center

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

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
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• Exceptions include: (1) 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
• (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments 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
• (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• See paragraph 4 - section C
• 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
• An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 of this part
• 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) Grade Determinations: GS-3: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR - 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 - Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques
• GS-5: Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• 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
• 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
• 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 approved 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
• GS-6: Experience
• 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
• 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 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: At least 1 year direct patient care experience (may include NA or LVN experience - LVN experience preferred)
• Familiarity with SCI patient care and management (trach care - bowel/bladder - neurological management - etc.)
• Experience managing medically complex or high-acuity patients
• 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-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds Light lifting - under 15 pounds Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds Light carrying - under 15 pounds Pulling hand over hand Pushing Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (8-12 hours) Standing (8-12 hours) Kneeling (8-12 hours) Repeated bending (8-12 hours) Climbing - legs only (8-12 hours) Climbing - use of legs and arms Both legs required Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Ability to distinguish basic colors Hearing (aid may be permitted)

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional LVN position with Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury unit
• LVN performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive and outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• Duties include but are not limited to: Veteran Care: Provides care with minimal RN supervision to a select group of patients
• Performs and documents focused assessments (i.e
• pain assessment - fall risk assessment) and reports abnormal findings to the RN team leader - or charge nurse
• Performs Accu-Check gluco-screen - takes and records vital signs and reports all significant deviations to the RN and/or health care provider immediately
• Takes appropriate action as directed
• Evaluates the nutritional needs for patients - including feeding assistance - and performs as necessary
• Provides fluid needs and administers feeding by nasogastric - gastrostomy - jejunostomy - and enteral tubes
• Actively participates in interdisciplinary team planning and patient care meetings
• Utilizes problem-solving process when patient problems arise
• Informs RN about data obtained pertaining to the problem
• Offers solutions to problems and offers feedback to ancillary members emphasizing ways to improve performance
• Medical Administration Demonstrates proficiency in utilizing the Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) scanner to administer medications to a group of patients safely and efficiently
• Is able to serve as a preceptor for other LVNs - and can instruct others in the appropriate use of BCMA for medication administration
• Veteran Safety Is able to verbalize understanding of the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) and the means by which VANTHCS is assuring that these goals are met
• Operates and is familiar with equipment utilized for physiological monitoring - ventilation - patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps - pulse oximeter - and blood/fluid warmers if assigned in areas where in use
• Identifies documents and reports fall risk - confused/wandering patients to all staff
• Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards and takes appropriate action to address the problem
• Computer/Information Security Provide for the security and privacy of the veteran and privileged information for the purpose of ensuring veteran's right to privacy
• Documentation/Communication/Hand-Off Accurately documents all critical finding in the CPRS medical record
• Demonstrates ability to perform and document focused assessments utilizing established CPRS templates
• Demonstrates the ability to clearly communicate the patients' care needs during hand- off
• Coordinates team planning - makes assignments for non-RN team members and follows for accomplishment of delegated assignments
• Customer Service Displays an attitude of caring and courtesy toward all veterans and their families by treating them as our customers - greeting them with a smile - referring to them by name - responding quickly to their needs - maintaining confidentiality and treating them at all times with dignity and respect
• Initiates and organizes quality process improvement activities for specifically assigned specialty areas
• Participates in unit-based quality improvement activities
• Demonstrates understanding of current customer service measure - and activities to improve customer service throughout VANTHCS
• Work Schedule: Night shift (7:30pm- 8:00am)
• 6 12-hour shifts + 1 8-hour shift per pay period for a total of 80 PP Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSPProgramSupport@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) 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 52826-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized