This position (only Long Term Care) MAY BE eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, 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. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements. Please see physical requirements in additional information section. English Language Proficiency. Proficient in both spoken and written English. 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced 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 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. AND 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/L VNs and/or Nursing Assistants/Health Technicians 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 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; 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: a) Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. AND 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 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; j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G13 dated: 4/10/2003. 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. ["The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or License Vocational Nurse (LVN) functions as a responsible member of the health care team under the supervision of a registered professional nurse. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Identifies and can initiate appropriate emergency measures and assists others to effectively function in emergency situations. Demonstrates performance-based competency in providing nursing care, based on age specific needs, which requires knowledge and skills representative of a highly proficient LPN/LVN. Observes, reports, and documents in the patient records, using objective and subjective data including interventions with outcome evaluation of nursing care given. Knowledge of various computer programs (CPRS, VISTA, and Care Tracker) and of documentation requirements. Preparation and administration of selected medications according to Medical Center policies and procedures. Initiation, administration, and monitoring of IV therapy per policy and procedure. Demonstrates appropriate skills and knowledge for patient needs. Contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan, and promotes patient participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self reliance and independence in the outpatient setting. Serve as a responsible member of the nursing team with positive interactions with patients and family member/significant others. Exhibits professional and supportive demeanor with all medical center staff. Performs support duties which may include preparing the patient, assisting in the procedure which may include preparing the patient, and monitoring the patient. Understands sterile/aseptic techniques for specialized procedures and follows facility's Procedure for Universal Protocols. Anticipates potential safety hazards with reporting and/or initiating appropriate action. Promotes and demonstrates safe equipment usage and follows manufacturer guidelines in all entities and of usage and infection control guidelines. Assists the registered professional nurse in the orientation of new personnel. Identifies and communicates anticipated patient care problems including safety, infection control, and quality management which may impede the delivery of nursing care. Demonstrates professional judgment on decisions in planning of patient care in the outpatient/specialty clinic setting. Reinforces educational needs to patient, family/significant other specific to growth and development of early, middle, and late adult patients. Participates with a degree of self-direction according to individual patient plan of care. Contributes to the identification of learning and cultural needs of patients which may be influenced by differences in social, religious customs, and dietary habits. All other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service. Preferred Qualifications/Experience: Long Term Care: Long term care experience, wound care, medication administration, Foley catheter care and maintenance, interdisciplinary team participation, Resident/family education, survey participation, age specific competencies. Specialty Clinics: Surgical experience, experience with invasive procedures. Primary Care Clinics: Outpatient clinic experience preferred. Patient Aligned Care Team: Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' condition, to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Serves in the outpatient setting as a member of a health care team with assigned duties which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervision. Identifies high risk populations, targets chronic disease indicator outliers, and works with the PACT Team to improve patient self-management and outcomes. Collects and reports physiological data (i.e. vital signs, weight, admission data). Mental Health: Outpatient clinic experience preferred. Work Schedule: Various Work Schedules, and tour of duties available. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized (Long Term Care only): Contact visn5edrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
