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. 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: Citizen of the United States. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Exceptions include: Health care education in the military service or training in the military service that is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure meets the education requirements. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. 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). 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: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Must have graduated 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; (copy of transcripts required) OR Must have graduated from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (copy of transcripts required) GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent AND 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. 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: Completion of one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN AND 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 RN/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. 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 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13 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. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45lbs and over), straight pulling, pushing, walking, standing, repeated bending, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), and visual acuity 20/30 correctable. Environmental factors are working with hands in water and working closely with others. ["Duties listed are at the GS-6 level, developmental grades will differ in complexity and level of supervision. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) assigned to the General Medicine Service Line (GMS), functions as the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinical Associate team member under the guidance of the RN, but must be able to function independently and autonomously. Responsible for providing clinical assistive care and administrative support. Demonstrate the ability to observe, identify and respond to the Veteran's needs for nursing, medication, point-of-care testing, and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal. Responsible for Veteran and Family/Caregiver assessment for health literacy and educational needs, including health coaching and provision of education; and is self-directed. Completes the Health Promotion/clinical reminders/recommendations as appropriate; documents accordingly. Performs care that is demographically and environmentally appropriate; and uses techniques to de-escalate disruptive patients appropriately. PACT LPN is responsible for: Ongoing, continuous care of assigned panel(s) of Veterans Using all available tools Functioning at the full extent of the LPN's relevant clinical privileges, credentials, scopes of practice, elements of practice, certification, and other VHA or local facility documentation of competency Participating in team performance improvements and sustainment activities Implementing primary care operations management processes Managing communications and facilitating safe transitions of Veterans Providing health education and health coaching on wellness, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and self-management skills Engaging Veterans in using health care Using formal and informal communications to convey significant, clinically relevant information for the care of the Veteran Managing clinic workflow Provide VA Video Connect (VVC), Clinical Video Technology (CVT), or Telemedicine. Responsible for maintaining knowledge of and skill in applying an intensive body of rules, procedures, and operations in telehealth related technologies and a variety of computer hardware/ software used in technology, data entry ,retrieval, record maintenance, document, and report generation; Preparing the clinical environment, which may include telecommunications equipment Serve as a tele presenter for VVC or Telemedicine Taking measures to ensure patient care is delivered safely by following appropriate procedures for cleaning of clinical equipment and care of environment Completing standardized clinical questionnaires and templates Arranging and completing test video calls with veterans in preparation of video calls Ensuring information and resources are maintained for local and remote telehealth providers so they can effectively execute contingency and emergency plans. Accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely and cost-effective results related to the PACT. Determines objectives and sets priorities. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Reports any perceived violations of law or official wrongdoing. Provides excellent customer service by anticipating and meeting the needs of the Veterans and internal and external customers. Delivers high quality clinical care, practices, and services. May be required to perform specimen collection of ensuring to utilize proper labeling, packaging, and transport instructions. Utilize proper facility required patient identified methods and ensure patient confidentiality is maintained. Access and complete specimen orders. Exercise effective communication skills prior to, during, and after specimen collection, ensuring to review pertinent information with the patient. Maintain specimen integrity. Adhere to applicable infection control guidelines of hand hygiene before and after venipuncture of all patients. Demonstrate knowledge, skill, and competency in venipuncture and specimen collection. Will be able to resolve order discrepancies by contacting the order originator for further clarification, notifying supervisor of unresolved orders. Maintain a safe and secure working environment by adhering to local medical center standards, policies, and procedures as well as other federal or state regulating bodies. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am - 4pm or based on the needs of the clinic Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Stacy Hermann, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance at V20CompensationTeam@va.gov. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
