Practical Nurse (Long Term Care)

Summary 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. Program 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 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 PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyIn accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken EnglishEducation - 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 applicantExceptions include 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVNLicensure - Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of ColumbiaGrade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each gradeThe candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the gradeGS-03 None beyond the basic requirementsLPNs 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 involvedGS-04 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVNor 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 proceduresor Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months durationGS-05 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalentDemonstrated 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 deliveryProvides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimesKnowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problemsAbility to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient careKnowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medicationsThis includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's conditionKnowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrestRecognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficienciesGS-06 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/LVNProficiency in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populationsKnowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a patient's needs for care including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family educationIn organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - socio-economic - and age-related factorsPrepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/proceduresObserves for - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatmentsKnowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directedKnowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members and other staffEstablishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - to promote positive relationships - communication - and socialization skillsFosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care deliveryEffectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customersKnowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which includes preparing the patient and 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 procedureServes 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/proceduresActively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice 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)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: Long Term Care experience preferred but not requiredReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is 03The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problemsRecognizes and responds to the patients' needs for nursing - medication - and equipment assisted care and recognizes deviations from normalAbility to serve as a responsible member of the health care team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient careUses practical knowledge of human behavior - motivations and reactions to situations in working effectively with patients - family - and other staff membersDemonstrates sufficient knowledge and skills to prepare and administer commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intra-muscular - and/or intra venous medications and other routes as permitted by VAMC policy and procedure while under the direct supervision of a Registered nurse and/or preceptorRecognizes the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the Register Nurse/ Preceptor or the care provider and assist in the resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrestDemonstrates and responds appropriately to breakage and/or malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective actionInteracts with patients in groups in accordance with the patient treatment plan Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missionsConsistently communicates and treats customers (patients - visitors - volunteers - and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous - tactful - and respectful mannerAssesses data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age specific needs and to provide care needed as described in the services' policies and proceduresTakes into consideration age-related differences of the various Veteran populations with this institutionProtects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws - federal regulations - VA statutes and policy - and VHA guidelinesVA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 8 Hour Evening and Night Shifts EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement programYou must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointmentProgram 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 applicationPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experienceParental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a childChild Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 13829F - 13830F - 13831F - & 13832F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.