Career Center

This is an open continuous announcement. We accept applications for this occupations on an ongoing basis; qualified applicants will be considered as vacancies become available. Under the direction of the Registered Nurse or Nurse Manager, the Vocational Nurse is responsible for providing indirect and/or direct patient care to an assigned group of patients. Endemic unit operations include but are not limited too: COVID testing, vaccinations, Endemic Screening and other duties as assigned. 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. Must be a graduate of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. . Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g.,medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:· Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or 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.· 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 NAs/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 at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for theGS-5 LPN/LVN:· 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.· 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 (45 lbs. and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight Pulling; Pushing; Reaching above Shoulder; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Hearing aid (permitted); Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Depth perception; Both eyes required; Both legs required; Use of fingers and both hands required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications ["Able to demonstrate competency in specimen collection Able to recognize patients in distress needing immediate intervention. Gathers and records data reflective of the patient's (and/or family's) physical, psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and educational needs. Maintains BLS Certification and completes annual mandatory training. Demonstrates skill in verbal and written communication. Demonstrates ability to work effectively with all members of the health care team. Determines compliance with safety requirements, establishes inventory and equipment maintenance. Maintains laboratory stock and orders materials, as needed Maintains laboratory stock and orders materials, as needed. Functions as primary point of contact for implementation of safety regulations and safe working conditions and is accountable to supervisor to report conditions and progress on eliminating discrepancies. Performs specimen collection in accordance with facility and laboratory policies and procedures. Assures all test tubes are labeled accurately when collecting specimens and using facility and laboratory designated patient identifiers. Wears proper PPE when collecting specimens. Collects specimens according to the Covid-19 Specimen Collection process. Ensures disinfection of all equipment in between each specimen collection and changes gloves. Collaborates with EMS to maintain disinfection of specimen rooms by the completion of business day. Verifies correct patient identification, performs proper specimen handling and labeling, accessions specimens, checks that lab test requests are consistent with physician orders, generates labels and sorts labeled specimens to be distributed to specific laboratory sections. Incumbent works closely with facility and laboratory computers systems, CPRS and Vista to accession specimens and retrieve results. Ensures safe and non-traumatic processes are used with critical concern for the donor and for the quality of the specimen while using standard aseptic procedures and safeguards. Controls contaminated or potentially dangerous specimens in accordance with accreditation agency requirements. Involves patient/family in care decisions and assist with providing education based on identified needs and readiness to learn. Protects and respects patients' rights and maintains patient confidentiality. Preferred Experience:\n1-2 Years LVN PACT/clinic experience\nExperience working with known or potential COVID patients Work Schedule: Schedule to be determined by the needs of the facility.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]