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

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
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
• Exceptions include: (1) 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
• (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• and for their future personnel actions under this authority
• The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
• (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• See paragraph 4 - section 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
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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)
• 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-03: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04: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-05: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 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
• The GS-06 qualification standards are listed in the Education Section of this announcement
• Preferred Experience: Evidence of Lean Belt training or experience Charge Nurse/preceptor experience Professional Governance participation Other role-related technical skills Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Heavy carrying - 45 pounds and over
• Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• Light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Straight pulling (1-2 hours)
• Pushing (1 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Walking (8-10 hours)
• Standing (8-10 hours)
• Repeated bending (.5 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Mental & emotional stability required
• Simple grasping (2-4 hours)
• Sitting (8 hours)
• Fine manipulation (4-8 hours)
• Twisting (2 hours).

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional As an essential member of the procedural team - the LVN assists the physician and team members during endoscopy procedures - actively participating in the planning and implementation of procedures under the general supervision of the endoscopy team
• The LVN serves as the primary scrub person - managing and ordering instruments - supplies - and equipment for procedures including - but not limited to - colonoscopies - endoscopies - and flexible sigmoidoscopies
• The LVN practices aseptic technique and prepares instrumentation independently
• In all procedures - the LVN participates in the time out process - retrieves and labels specimens - and ensures adherence to all infection control policies and universal precautions
• The LVN remains vigilant to changes in the patient's clinical condition - promptly notifying the RN or physician of significant developments and relaying technical data throughout the procedure
• The LVN also assists with patient assessment - preparation - positioning - and the setup of specialized support equipment as needed
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Performs and documents focused assessment and reports abnormal findings to the Charge Nurse - Nurse Manager and/or RN Team Leader
• Demonstrates a basic 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
• The LVN demonstrates technique in performing - reporting - and recording assigned nursing care - including - but not limited to: administers oxygen therapy
• medication administration to include IV medication if certified
• completes clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated
• ensures medications/supplies are not expired and removed from inventory
• accurately performs delegated procedures and treatments
• assists with minor procedures - including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment - positioning patient - ensuring comfort and privacy
• EKG - lab draws
• data collection and documentation intervention of patient visit in applicable nursing note
• based on the patient's goals - reinforces patient and family health education - to include self-management - prevention and wellness
• assists in medication reconciliation and notifies the provider of changes
• measures - records vital signs and enters them in CPRS
• Reports all significant deviations to the RN and/or health care provider immediately
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication
• Medication Administration (BCMA) system to administer medication to individual or a group of patients safely and efficiently
• Demonstrates basic skill in identifying the individual's level of understanding and teaching the client and/or significant other about the basic concepts to his/her disease process - utilizing the standards of care and documenting client's response
• Provides verbal and/or written information in a timely manner that is accurate - using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand
• Makes observations and documents care and the patient's response
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When 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 experience
• Parental 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 child
• Child 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 $416.66
• Retirement: 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53049F - 53050F - 53051F - and 53052F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized