Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Authorized Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

Must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit application within four months of appointment.

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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Exceptions include : Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.

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.

Licensure : Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or District of Columbia.

English Language Proficiency : Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be 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 Candidates may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the following criteria : Six months of qualifying experience as LPN / LVN;
• OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities : Demonstrated knowledge / 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 / MD / DO to appropriately orient / train less experienced LPNs / LVNs and / or NAs / HTs in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery.

Provides education to patients / 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 / skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and document actions taken specific to prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and / or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures.

Observation / 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.

Knowledge / 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.

Recognizes / responds to breakage / malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

GS-6 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.

Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities : Proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.

Knowledge / 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 patient information. Ability to observe / identify / 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 / considers emotional , cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors.

Prepares / administers medications and performs treatments according to established policies / procedures. Observes for physical and / or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications / treatments, documenting noted changes, and reporting any changes from normal to RN or MD / DO.

Knowledge / 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 / understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to utilize this knowledge in working with patients, family members, and other staff.

Establishes 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. Incorporates knowledge and understanding of customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and / or other internal / external customers.

Knowledge / 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 educating and training less experienced LPNs / LVNs / NAs / HTs. Seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Preferred Experience : One year of LPN experience References : VA HANDBOOK 5005 / 3 PART II APPENDIX G13 II-G13-1 APPENDIX G13.

LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD 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; Pushing, 1 hour; Reaching above shoulder;
• Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Kneeling; Crawling; Repeated bending, 1-2 hours; Both legs required;
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20 / 20 and to 20 / 40 in the other;
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted);
• Mental and Emotional Stability; Working on Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working with hands in water; Working closely with others;

Lifts Patients; "VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse : Licensed Practical Nurse - In this position the LPN is more than likely assigned to a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) and is responsible for assisting with panel management for his / her PACT, and other duties as assigned by supervisor or per the daily schedule.

• Some primary roles in this capacity : assist providers with clinic visits, exams, and procedures; administer medication, process clinical reminders, review and process alerts;
• provide education within scope of practice; keep Veteran informed during visit and provide needed updates, assist with walk-in patients as schedule allows;

daily cleaning and stocking of rooms; review secure messages, FAXCOM, and CMT tasks; provide SBAR communication; and assist in scrubbing the schedule.

Communications : Expresses information to multiple audiences through clear, convincing oral and written communication. Delivers accurate and timely information (relative to the situation) to others, and shapes communications by properly utilizing SBAR to meet the needs of our Veterans and their families.

Works with CPRS, entering notes and addressing alerts. Patient Care : Demonstrates knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on patient's condition.

Plans and carries out assignments following VHA directives and local Numbered Memoranda. Provides appropriate patient and family education regarding disease condition, procedures, tests, and health maintenance.

Observes and responds to subtle changes in patient's behavior by providing emotional / physical support / intervention to prevent a problem.

Participates in Medication Review by reviewing with patient / care giver medication list, annotate changes on the list for PCP's review, enter non-VA meds in CPRS.

Provides ambulatory nursing care to patients with acute and chronic healthcare needs, including responding to triages as appropriate.

Responds to medical emergencies such as "medical urgencies " and nursing alerts as appropriate. Work Schedule : Monday through Friday 7 : 30 AM - 4 : 00 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized EDRP Authorized : Contact VHAEDRPProgramS, the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance.

Learn more Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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 $ 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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"