Career Center

This position is located at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, in Nursing/Patient Care Services. This position is for the Home Care: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Homemaker/Home Health Aide Coordinator. The LPN will rotate roles in team building, scheduling, housekeeping, and quality improvement initiatives. 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: a. United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. b. 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. 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. d. 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-7 LPN Experience. Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Preferred Experience: Home health care experience Experience in Geriatrics and Extended Care References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 APRIL 10, 2003 PART II APPENDIX G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. 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, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. ["This is an open continuous posting and may close before the listed closing date. A certificate will be issued every 15 days until a selection is made. The LPN: Adheres to the LPN scope of practice, the Nursing Code of Ethics, local, VISN, and National Directives. Provides basic nursing care; performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care done in their assigned home health care setting(s). Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the Veteran's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the Veteran's condition requiring higher­ level intervention. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent Veteran care situations and seeks assistance from other team members as needed to provide optimal medical care. Provides education to Veteran and family, based on the Veteran's goals. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medications and vaccines in the home care setting. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to Veterans requiring skilled/non-skilled nursing care on a regular and recurring basis. Demonstrates knowledge of medical terminology and skill sufficient to gather, report, and record observations and information related to the care of the Veteran. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to serve as a responsible member of the Veteran care team and interact with Veterans, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide Veteran care and with members of other services. Serves as an advocate and resource for the Veteran and family. Demonstrates knowledge and skill sufficient to recognize and properly use equipment, materials, and supplies to carry out procedures and other assignments with only a direct review by the RN for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity with established policies and procedures. Demonstrates ability to make pertinent observations of the Veteran's physical and emotional reactions to hospital care and treatment for purposes of communicating with the RN and recording in the Veteran's record in the approved charting format. Demonstrates knowledge sufficient to understand human body structure and function, illnesses, and diseases entities and skill sufficient to communicate with RN, Veterans, family members, and hospital staff. Demonstrates knowledge and skill sufficient to perform a moderately difficult range of nursing care activities, which have been acquired through training and experience. Possesses knowledge of nursing care involved in the care of the Veteran with multiple geriatric, psychiatric, and/or medical problems. Participates in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the nursing care that expedites the Veteran's return to, or maintenance of, optimal functioning by providing continuity of care of each Veteran's individual needs. Demonstrate knowledge of infection control and sterile technique to safely carry out assigned duties including the Veteran in isolation. Must have an active driver's license. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 1st, 2nd or 3rd shifts with rotation to all tours, weekends, and holidays may be required.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 667-0188-F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]