Career Center

This is an Open Continuous Announcement that will be used to fill vacant positions throughout the Charles George VAMC and its Health Care Centers and CBOC's. This position is open to all Licensed Practical Nurses currently seeking employment in Asheville and Surrounding Community Outpatient Clinics. Resumes will be referred to hiring managers as a vacancy occurs. You will receive an email notification when your resume has been referred for a vacancy. 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 Accrediting Commission (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. 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. d. 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). Grade Determinations:GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements (above). GS-4: Must meet ALL basic requirements at the GS-3 grade level and one of the following:(a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) 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(c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.*LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5: Must meet all requirements at the GS-4 grade level AND the following:(a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.(b) 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.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) 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: Must meet all requirements at the GS-5 grade level AND the following: (a) 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.(b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) 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.(g) 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.(h) 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.(i) 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.(j) 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; Dated, April 2003.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. ["Licensed Practical Nurses will be assigned to interested units throughout facility. The Licensed Practical Nurse practices in a complex patient care setting in collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues and the department nurse/unit manager. There are vacancies for Licensed Practical Nurses in a variety of specialty areas to include: Acute Care 4 West (Medical/Cardiology) 5 East Warrior's Recovery Unit (Inpatient Mental Health) Specialized Work Assignment Team (SWAT) Mental Health Clinic Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) Outpatient and Procedural Care Primary Care Specialty Clinic Geriatrics and Extended Care Community Living Center (CLC) 1 - long term care Community Living Center (CLC) 2 - short stay rehab Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Rutherfordton CBOC Franklin CBOC Hickory CBOC Telehealth The primary duties of the LPN may vary by assignment. Duties may include but are not limited to the following: Must be able to function independently and autonomously according to established policies, procedures and practices. Must demonstrate the ability to observe, identify and respond to the Veteran's needs for nursing, medication and emotional 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. Complete the Health Promotion/clinical reminders as appropriate, documents accordingly. Performs care that is demographically and environmentally appropriate; uses techniques to de-escalate disruptive patients appropriately. Ongoing, continuous care of assigned panel(s) of Veterans. Participating in team performance improvements and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency of care delivery with Veterans. Adeptly managing telephone, secure messaging, face to face and virtual communications to effectively meet patient care needs. Providing general health and mental health education and coaching on wellness, disease prevention/management, and self-management skills with Veterans and their caregivers as appropriate. Effective in using formal and informal communications that are respectful, timely and collaborative with all team members, including the Veteran and Family/Caregivers to convey significant, clinically relevant information for the care of the Veteran. Assesses records and reports vital signs, mental/emotional state, weight and responses to medications/therapies. Appropriately determines and prioritizes patient needs as routine, urgent or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed. Serves as a first aid resource for clinic patients or staff that sustain minor injuries. Responds appropriately to crises that may arise in the clinic setting. Collaborates with the BHIP team and other interdisciplinary services in the development, implementation and evaluation of patient care. Assists Assistant Nurse Manager with planning and organizing specialized unit projects (i.e. flu clinic, injection clinic, performance improvement projects). Work Schedule: A variety of schedules available. Telework: Typically NOT authorized. Virtual Work Schedule: This is NOT a virtual position Financial Disclosure Report: NOT required"]

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