Career 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. Learn more 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: 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. 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). Licensure: Full, active, current 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. 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). Preferred Experience: . Geriatrics, hospice, rehab experience desired Grade Determinations: GS-3 Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they have Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Education: 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 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below: Demonstrated KSAs 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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 Experience: 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below: Demonstrated KSAs 1. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations .2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. 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. This can also be found in the local Human Resources Office.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: This position requires heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15 - 44 pounds; reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers and hands; prolonged walking & standing; repeated kneeling and bending; Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirements; hearing (aide permitted). Mental and emotional stability required. ["The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for providing care to a veteran population with widely diverse medical, skilled, mental health and end-of-life needs. The incumbent is responsible for direct patient care activities under the supervision of the Registered Nurse. This position is in the Extended Care and Rehabilitation service line. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Use clinical knowledge to vary the order and sequence of assignments based on patients' conditions. Utilize knowledge of physical, social, and emotional factors when planning patient care, and use this knowledge effectively in day-to-day interactions with patients and families. Recognizes deviations from patient's baseline. Prepare and administer medications correctly and understand the action and side effects of all medications administered. Observe for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and report any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. Perform basic treatments and procedures, to include venipuncture as defined in policy. Learn Medical Center Policies and Procedures to apply to his/her daily clinical functions and responsibilities. Deliver nursing care that reflects the various phases of the life cycle from 18 to 85 years and over. Identify individual age need differences, consider maturation changes, promote health in all phases, differentiate the need for special equipment, and consider the young adults and older adult's exposure to substance abuse problems. Participate in Interdisciplinary Team meetings to develop the patients' care plan goals. Perform escort duties based upon the care needs of the veteran. Administer standard intravenous solution via peripheral line as defined in policy. Recognize and report unsafe situations. Initiate appropriate emergency interventions. Assess acute and subtle changes and consistency in patients' mental and physical condition and intervene appropriately. Recognize and report signs of physical and emotional abuse of patient, family and significant others. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the various degrees of physical and mental impairment, is able to modify patient/family teaching methods. Assist the professional nurse in planning and implementation of patient educational or recreational activities. Motivate patients to participate in learning and recreational activities to improve their quality of life. Observe a patient while on the unit and more frequently as directed in accordance with facility policies. Maintain courtesy during telephone and direct verbal interactions with patients, families, and visitors. Work Schedule: Rotating schedules to include evenings, weekends, nights, and holidays. 8 & 12 hour shifts available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Licensed Practical Nurse- Community Living Center/PD000000, PD000000, and PD000000\nRecruitment Incentives: A recruitment incentive of up to $8,000 (pre-taxed) has been authorized for Eligible, highly qualified applicants. Please contact the HR specialist for specific requirements\nEDRP Authorized: Contact VHAVISN23edrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]