Practical Nurse - Community Living Center

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. 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
a.Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
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 (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.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.

Grade Determination. In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4. 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

.GS-5. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Along with meeting the requirement listed above, applicants must meet all of the following:

• 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.
• 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.
• Recognizes and appropriately 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 one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. Along with meeting the requirement listed above, applicants must meet all of 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; 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. 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.
• 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 which can be located in the local Human Resources office.

Physical Requirements: Applicants must possess the ability to do the following: heavy lifting and carrying, 45 pounds and over; pulling, pushing and reaching above the shoulder; walking, standing, kneeling and repeated bending

Preferred Experience - 1 year Nursing experience.

Responsibilities:

1. Monitor, assess, discuss, provide appropriate interventions, and follow physician orders for Veterans in need of nursing care
2. Evaluates and documents veterans' response/progress towards attainment of expected goals and outcomes
3. Deliver compassionate, quality care assignments, including documentation.
4. Completes daily assignments in accordance with veteran needs, employee qualifications and availability on a day-to-day basis
5. Actively participates in ad-hoc, nursing and/or facility wide committees
6. Reviews nursing assessments, within identified parameters
7. Contributes to the plan of care and provides updates throughout the Veteran's treatment, seeking assistance as needed
8. Works in partnership with interdisciplinary team members, Veteran, and Veteran's family/ support system to coordinate the inpatient care and discharge plans to positively affect patient outcomes
9. Implements staffing strategies to promote safe, cost effective, efficient delivery of care and reduction of waste
10. Provides age-specific components when planning and providing Veteran care
11. Considers all characteristics of the Veteran, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences to best align what care needs are
12. Promotes the least restrictive environment that maximizes Veteran's functional status
13. Uses sound judgment in problem solving and decision making, contacts Charge Nurse when further guidance is needed
14. Follows Medical Center policies and procedures, maintaining safety as a priority
15. Administers medications, monitors for side effects, and documents follow up as outlined by policies and procedures
16. Follows established safety and infection control standards, policies, and procedures will minimal assistance
17. Cares for Veterans with the ability to shift priorities based on patient and/or unit needs
18. An active participant in unit/program level quality improvement processes, initiatives, and customer service programs
19. Able to effectively communicate with patients, families, peers, and others adapting style to best meet varied educational levels and diverse ethnic backgrounds
20. Adaptable and able to work in high stress emergency situations individually or within a team
21. Delivers care to Veterans and families with VA values

Work Schedule: To be determined upon interview - day and night shifts, may include weekends and holidays
Functional Statement #: 91611-O, 91612-O, 91613-O, 91614-O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants
EDRP Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $200,000 - $0